#he'd do anything for those he loves‚ even if it meant becoming a criminal. is that what you need from him? he'll *do* it

[rainsreverie]

i'm thinking rocky rickaby thoughts... my love he is an artist... a musician, a poet and more... a scientist, a researcher, someone who adores learning and knowledge and more... i cannot get over the fact so much of him and what he does now is something of a desperate, drowning "i want to be useful" above all else.

i love him so much... i want to romance him and cuddle him and i want him to look at me and think "not once has she made me think i wasn't exactly who she wants." or something of that sort...

"not once have i doubted my place by her side," not because i somehow rid him of that anxious quality of him but because i am so fervent in reassuring him without him needing to ask. it is how i am.

#[.rainsreveries] #[adrift.txt] #▐ ; #perhaps he doesn't think in those exact words #but it's a sentiment similar. #i say he is a scientist mainly because of the fact that so many of the books he read growing up were all #very very informative books. that encouraged his curiosity. made him the sort of guy he is today. so verbose! #he's *very* well read. sometimes i wonder if people underestimate him due to his wild demeanor #but he's genuinely‚ deeply well-read and extremely well spoken. gotta do something when you're on the road huh? <3 #ohh‚ what made me fall in love? was it his alchemical references? his poetry? his moon-motif? #his silly‚ playful‚ desperate demeanor? #desperation to be useful‚ desperation to have a place for himself? #to dispel that echoing loneliness within him? #he'd do anything for those he loves‚ even if it meant becoming a criminal. is that what you need from him? he'll *do* it #need him to hammer a nail into his nose? he'll do it. he'll be a stuntsman‚ a linecook‚ a rumrunner. anything. #and i'll do anything for him‚ too.

[penkura]

last forever [6/13]

Summary: Zoro only offered to marry you to keep you out of an arranged marriage with a man much older than you. You agreed with the caveat of ending it via annulment once you received word from your parents regarding the original engagement, despite your growing feelings for your close friend.

Pairing: Zoro x Fem!reader, mentioned Sanami later (like epilogue later so chill)

Warnings: Marriage of Convenience, Fake Marriage, referenced sex (waaaaaay later on), mutual pining, Zoro is bad at feelings but what's new there, eventual romance I promise, mention of past attempted assault (I'll warn in that chapter), creepy older dude later on

Note: This got away from me, it's over 6k words, I'm so sorry. But, here's Robin and a bit of development between our lovely couple, I suppose. I do love Zoro, I promise.

[Ch. 1] ● [Ch. 2] ● [Ch. 3] ● [Ch. 4] ● [Ch. 5]

“Looks like we've shaken them.”

A round of whines from your crewmates is heard, making you smile slightly.

“You guys should be happy.”

Another whine, this time making you giggle while Zoro stares at everyone else.

“Stop that. What's wrong with you all?”

“I miss her!!”

Leaving Alabasta the way you did, barely able to say goodbye to Vivi and Karoo, with her decision to stay in the kingdom rather than join you all at sea, it was rough. You missed her greatly too, but understood her choice and accepted it. You still had Nami, at the very least it wasn't just you and a bunch of boys.

“If you wanted her to stay, you should've taken her by force!”

Hearing the insults everyone throws towards Zoro makes you laugh, even as he looks up at you on the upper deck in annoyance. You wave with a smile still on your face before he looks away. Strangely, things haven't changed much between you since he told you nothing romantic would be happening. Sometimes you feel an ache in your chest when you look at him, thinking about it, but you've come to accept Zoro probably would never take back what he said or try to court you. Once you had some kind of response from your parents, you two would sign your annulment papers and move on, living as crewmates instead of faking being husband and wife for your safety.

“I do agree with Zoro, you guys,” your smile softens as everyone looks up at you in surprise, “I love Vivi too, but if we wanted her to come along, we should've just kidnapped her.”

“[Y/N]!”

“Of course, that would've made us worse criminals,” jumping down from the upper deck, you stand beside Zoro with your arms crossed, “so it's better we let Vivi stay like she decided to. We'll see her again.”

While the rest of the crew agrees with you, Zoro is surprised you're being so agreeable with him after your discussion the other night.

Well ‘discussion’ is putting it lightly and in more positive terms. Sanji confronted him the next morning and mentioned how you'd ended up in tears over what Zoro said to you, making your temporary husband feel bad for a bit. He hadn't meant to make you cry, he was just telling you the truth. Romance was the farthest thing from his mind, it shouldn't even be in yours right now. There are too many other things to worry about, your goals and helping Luffy become King of the Pirates were the main ones. Helping everyone else with theirs was secondary, romance or anything like that was so far out of his mind, he never thought of it being a thing he'd have to worry about.

When he looks at you, all you do is smile, before Zoro shakes his head to move on and get those thoughts that you're still upset out of his head. You probably are, but it's not something to worry about right now.

“Looks like we finally escaped the firing squad.”

“Yeah, finally.”

“Excellent work, swordsman.”

The newest voice makes you all freeze in shock before everyone starts to freak out. Your hand is on your sword but Zoro is in front of you before anything happens, the rest of your crew moving into position against the dark haired woman on board. You barely recognize her as Crocodile's partner Ms. All Sunday, and you're curious about her reasons for being on your ship.

While Sanji swoons over her, Nami and Chopper start to hide behind you behind Zoro, Usopp is shouting warnings, and Luffy is shouting questions, Nico Robin does little more than smile, before saying she wants to join the crew, giving her reason being that Luffy saved her life back in Alabasta.

“I was determined to die, and you saved my life. That's your crime. So I decided I would join you.”

“Well,” Luffy nods and crosses his arms, “Guess it can't be helped. Welcome aboard!”

“Luffy!!���

The next little while is spent with everyone quickly changing their minds about Robin, for the most part. Usopp interrogates her but still believes her to be dangerous, until she pulls a trick with her Devil Fruit powers making him, Luffy, and Chopper burst out laughing. Sanji is smitten simply due to her being a woman, and Robin handing over a bag of jewels to Nami has them in each other's good graces.

Zoro intends to hold out, he's not going to trust her so easily when she was out to get you all until just a few minutes ago. He halfway expects you to do the same, though he doesn't expect the next exchange between you and Luffy a few moments later, once everyone has settled and you're able to pull your captain aside.

“Luffy,” you stay quiet, only he and Zoro can really hear you while Sanji continues to fawn over Robin as Usopp and Chopper ask her to show more of her powers, “Do you really trust her? I mean…she did work with Crocodile.”

Luffy gives you a bright grin and nod, which you return slightly. “Yeah, it's fine! She's not a bad person! You can tell too, can't you?”

“Mm.” You nod, deciding to trust in Luffy and his decision. You climb up on the railing beside him, taking the extra fishing rod to help him get something for dinner. “I'll trust you then, Luffy.”

“Great! Now let's get something good for Sanji to cook for dinner!”

“Haha, right.”

No, you don't miss how Zoro doesn't say anything, instead turning away from you and Luffy, avoiding Robin as she attempts to speak to him before looking at Luffy and asking if he'd gotten any bites yet. She was trying to fit in with you all, Luffy trusted her and she seemed to trust him. You're willing to give her a chance, even if Zoro isn't.

You're sure there's going to be a discussion about this later, and you definitely aren't looking forward to it.

+!+

“You can't be serious that you trust her.”

“Zoro,” you sigh and shake your head, rubbing your forehead a bit. Your head is starting to ache at the thought of a possible argument, “I didn't say I trust her.”

“Oh, and what's your reasoning for not being skeptical? She was our enemy not even three days ago!”

“I get that…but it sounds like she trusts Luffy.”

Zoro sighs heavily and shakes his head at you this time. He's not sure what to do with you, he doesn't want to fight with you about this, but it seems to be the way it's going to go.

He just doesn't trust Robin and doesn't get why you, who seemed to have worse trust issues than he did, ever would.

“And when she betrays us?”

“She won't, Zoro.”

“You don't know that! She could be using Luffy saving her as an excuse to get information and take it to the government or another pirate crew!”

“Oh good lord,” You're nearly glaring at Zoro while he almost snarls at you over the situation, “you are the most untrusting, stubborn man I've ever met! I don't trust her yet, who I trust is Luffy!”

“Luffy doesn't know what he's doing with her! She said something she knew he'd like to hear, she's not safe!”

“Luffy is our captain!” You didn't know your voice could get this loud, nor did you think Zoro's ever would. The rest of the crew must be getting one hell of a show if they could hear you from the storeroom right now. Though, if they could, you're certain Sanji would have run in to defend you and Robin by now.

“What does that have to do with this?!”

“He makes the decisions! If he thinks Robin is safe, I'll trust Luffy!”

“You're being as much of an idiot as our captain is!”

No, he doesn't really mean it, but Zoro wants to get his point across. You should be cautious, wary of this new person who, yes, was your enemy just a few days ago. You get that, you really do, but if Luffy thinks she's a good person, then…

“Yeah, sure! I'm an idiot because I trust our captain's choice!”

“Yes you are!”

“And you're a stubborn, untrusting dumbass!”

Well you've never called him such a name before, and that's more surprising to Zoro than anything that's happened today. You've both said too many things, probably things you don't mean, but it's enough now that he's done with it all. Done with yelling or trying to talk to you about it. He knows you won't listen, you'll both just end up trading insults and he doesn't want that anymore than you do.

So instead, Zoro pushes past you to leave, stopping briefly for one more thing.

“I want those papers later. We don't need to wait on your parents anymore.”

Zoro doesn't let you respond before he's heading back up the stairs, Luffy calling him for something that he's more than willing to do if it means being away from you for now.

You, however, do feel bad for the names you called him, and wish you had stopped him quickly enough to apologize. Had you been able to properly get your words out, maybe Zoro would have listened instead of fighting with you about Robin's recruitment. Instead you both let your emotions take over, said things you didn't mean, and now he was wanting the annulment papers.

Way to go, [Y/N]. You're getting an annulment and probably losing your closest friend.

+!+

Robin finds you with the logbook a couple days later, while everyone else is off the ship checking out the latest island you've docked at. She's not that surprised that you're the one who's keeping track of your adventure, you just seemed like the right person to write out everything that happened. If it wasn't you, she would've expected Nami to be keeping track.

“Anything interesting to record, Miss Logkeep?”

Humming a bit, you nod and finish the sentence you were writing, leaning back as Robin sits across from you. You're still recording all the events of Alabasta, trying to find the words to put everyone's perspective into the log appropriately. Making sure you had all the information meant having to speak with everyone, and with you and Zoro at odds for the moment, it felt like somethings were missing, and you likely weren't going to get anything from him until you two made up somehow.

You haven't taken your annulment papers to him, he hasn't asked again since your argument. Honestly you hope he's forgotten and will let things be until you hear from your parents or he changes his mind entirely. Maybe it's useless to hope for that, but until he asked for them again, you're going to hold onto that hope.

“Yeah, trying to finish Alabasta but…”

“Need someone else's side?”

“Mm…” You nod again, and Robin gives you a smile.

She had heard the argument you and Zoro had, so she knew very well that you two weren't really speaking. Even though it was due to her presence, she didn't say anything to let on that she knew, instead deciding to keep that to herself to see where things went with the two of you. It sounded like you were extremely close, and she'd like to see what your relationship with Zoro really was like.

“Forgive me if I'm prying, but are you and the swordsman close?”

You bite your lip a bit, wondering if you really should trust her with such information. It's not like you have to reveal your temporary marriage to Robin, Zoro would likely demand the papers again and actually sign them this time if you did so. After a moment of back and forth with yourself, you sigh and nod, closing the log with your bookmark in place.

“Yeah, we traveled together before we met Luffy. About eighteen months, I think.”

While you start to relay your story of how you met Zoro, met Luffy, and came to suddenly be a pirate, Robin just smiles and listens to you. Though you and Zoro aren't speaking much right now, you seem happy to be talking about him, like there's something there that even Robin is missing. She's not sure yet, if you have feelings for him, but the smile on your face and the slight blush you seem to have tells her she's on the right track.

“He's saved me from drowning, you know.”

“Has he now?”

You nod again, still smiling. “Not since before we joined Luffy, but a few times. My parents didn't teach me how to swim, Zoro's tried a few times,” you laugh and look at Robin, “I'm not very good!”

Robin laughs with you and gives you a smile. “Sounds like you really like him.”

She has you figured out, Robin thinks, while you blush a little and smile slightly before nodding. You simply have a crush on Zoro, and it seems he doesn't reciprocate it right now. That might change, because she has seen how protective of you Zoro is, having witnessed it first hand when she showed herself on Merry and he was in front of you almost instantly. Although she doesn't yet know all the details of your relationship, she's keen to see what happens.

When Sanji calls you all for dinner, Robin watches you and Zoro. You may not be talking to each other, but you still stay close, seated by each other without much thought, though you don't say anything to Zoro nor does he to you.

Robin knows you two will make up somehow, eventually. It seems as though you've been through far too much together to let one fight come between you.

And if you all do make it to the sky island, there might be a decent chance of seeing how well you two work together in battle.

+!+

“Come on, it's not water.”

You stare at Zoro from the Merry's deck, unsure if you believe him enough to jump down and join your crew. Finally arriving at Skypiea was a weight off and on your shoulders, with how thin the air was you felt like you couldn't breathe at first. Once you were used to that, you thought you were away from the water enough that you didn't need to worry about drowning, until watching Usopp nearly drown to death in the endless cloud sea.

Even with seeing Luffy, Chopper, and Robin freely walk through the clouds without any effects, you still weren't sure about it. Of course, you had no real fear of the water, you'd be a terrible pirate if you did.

However, knowing your inability to swim, you try to be careful on the ship, and not knowing how the Sky Island was, you were more worried than anything, even with Zoro trying to coax you off the ship and say you'd be safe.

You two have barely spoken since your argument about Robin joining the crew, so seeing him try to help you is a surprise. You're both stubborn but Zoro more so than you, which is what led to you spending more time with Robin and getting to know her, trusting her and knowing that she's no longer a threat.

Zoro's not at all impressed with you and how you've avoided speaking to him lately, but leaving you on the ship was not happening in his mind, not when everyone else had left and others were even calling for you. Luffy shouting for you to hurry up, Nami promising it was safe and you wouldn't drown, and even Sanji calling for you and saying he'd found something for you (likely the same flower you'd seen him give Nami and Robin, but it was a sweet gesture).

After another moment watching you debate, Zoro sighs and sticks a hand out to you, making you tilt your head.

“I won't let you fall. You know that.”

He's right, so you finally decide to go with your friends. Stepping onto and jumping off the railing with your shoes in one hand, the other grabbing Zoro's so he pulls you to him and keeps you from hitting the ground immediately, his other arm around your waist to help with that.

“Told ya.” Zoro sets you down and lets go of you once he sees you're stable, turning to follow after the rest of the crew before you grab his arm and stop him. “What?”

“I’m…sorry, thank you.”

“The hell you sorry about?”

“Not talking to you, calling you a dumbass, and fighting with you about Robin. I…we can…sign the papers later…”

Oh, that's what it was. Zoro wondered for a few days why you hadn't said anything to him about your marriage or your fight, he thought you'd just bring the papers to him later and say you wanted the annulment, not worrying about whatever your parents may think. He would've signed them if you did, but hearing the way you spoke just now, the slightest bit of concern and maybe sadness in your voice, it makes him shake his head in response.

“No, just…just leave it alone for now,” Zoro sighs but places his hand on your shoulder, moving you to walk in front of him, “Let's just join the others.”

Nodding, you don't miss how Zoro slightly squeezes your shoulder, before moving to keep his hand on your back and guide you, likely so you knew he wasn't letting you go so you wouldn't fall. It's a strange but kind gesture, even after he'd told you that he didn't have feelings for you and you two weren't going to be a couple.

Part of you wonders if he's lying, whether to you or himself, you're not sure yet though.

+!+

With all the trouble that Skypiea has brought you all, a night of rest and drinking was greatly needed, in your opinion. You'd all split off the next day to search for the city of gold and make your way to the end of sky island, but for now, you'll indulge in some drinks and laughs with your friends.

While he's still busy making food and handing it out, Sanji does, at one point, notice you grab a couple drinks and almost run back over to Zoro to give him one, before you go back to Nami and Robin nearby. How strange you two still are, in his eyes. You fight to the point of silent treatment, then start speaking again just earlier that day, and you're back to your usual self, bringing the mosshead things whether he asks or not. You're far too kind to Zoro, he doesn't deserve you, even though Sanji knows and understands the two of you aren't together. You do too much for him with nothing in return.

Although, rarely, Sanji has noticed that sometimes, it's Zoro who brings things to you in return. You've asked for a book once, something to drink a few times, and more recently had voiced your want for a snack, and were surprised by it a bit later when Sanji brought it to you.

“I…didn't even come ask you yet.”

Sanji shakes his head, scowling slightly before saying “Mosshead came and told me you wanted something to eat. Said I should just bring it right to you.”

You're surprised, mostly because you and Zoro haven't been speaking since your argument the other day.

“I…see…”

The blond knows of your fight, you'd gone to him shortly after and maybe you cried a little while telling him everything, but Sanji's of the belief you two must've made up if Zoro came and asked him to bring you something.

“Guess you guys made up then.”

“No…” this time you shake your head, accepting the small plate of food from Sanji with a slight smile, “We haven't…but this was sweet of him.”

Sanji was surprised at that, but now, he's more annoyed than anything. While you talk and laugh with Nami and Robin, Zoro stays where you left him, every now and then, Sanji catches him watching you. He's probably drunk, that's the only reason Sanji can think of to explain the look Zoro has on his face. It's something soft and almost faraway, like he's thinking too much about something. It only stops when you look over and smile at him, like you had back in Cocoyashi Village, making Zoro look away quickly and down the last of his drink.

There's something there, Sanji knows there is.

He's just not sure what it is yet.

+!+

Robin fully believes she knows what it is between you and Zoro, after watching you two the next day. You'd gone with her to search for the city of gold, Zoro not thinking that was a smart idea but you convinced him you'd be fine and he relented. He didn't want to have another argument leading into a silent treatment event happen. Seeing you without Zoro around, you seemed extremely interested in whatever history Robin told you. You chose to tell Robin about your situation with your family, explaining up to your meeting Zoro and leaving off your current marriage to him. You'd tell her one day, maybe once you'd come to know her more and trust her fully. Robin, though, knows there's something missing from your story. She can see it in your eyes, but she can't see exactly what it is.

What she does see happens when Eneru is nearly about to electrocute the five of you standing before him, Nami hiding behind a bit of debris. Once again Zoro has placed you behind him, and Robin can hear him quietly telling you to go to Nami, which you deny.

“I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to help you.”

Zoro's trying so hard to get you to safety that he nearly misses Eneru targeting Robin, only really noticing when you'd pushed away from him and ran to her, only to be hit with Eneru's attack after you'd shoved her out of the way.

“[Y/N]!!”

Robin's by your side and making sure you're still breathing, relief washing over her when she sees you've just been knocked out. She's more surprised at your actions and how Zoro's sending the worst glare she's ever seen towards Eneru, placing himself between the three of you.

“Don't you dare touch her again.”

“She's likely dead now so that won't be a problem.”

Eneru’s comment nearly pushes Zoro over the edge before Robin calls him.

“Swordsman, calm down! She's still breathing!”

“Doesn't matter! He shouldn't…she shouldn't have…”

Watching Zoro fight for his words and grip his swords tighter, it makes Robin realize she just might be right.

She believes it more so when you all have defeated Eneru, and are recuperating afterwards during a celebration with the Skypieans and Shandorians. Zoro had stayed by your side most of the time, constantly checking to make sure you were alright despite his injuries being worse. You barely seemed to notice, but Robin definitely did. Eventually she sees the same thing Sanji had the night before. You'd gone off with Nami once again, but also Luffy, Chopper, and Aisa this time, the five of you playing some game the little Shandorian girl had come up with, and Robin sees Zoro watching you all, but mostly you. She sees his eyes soften just a bit, the slightest smile on his face while he watches you laugh, especially when Luffy tosses Aisa to you and you catch her, making her squeal in laughter as well. This was the most peaceful she'd seen Zoro yet, and it was all because of you it seems.

How sweet.

You two are the last to wake the next morning, before your abrupt departure, and Robin is sure her hunch is right seeing you snuggled up close to Zoro with one of his arms around you before Sanji kicks Zoro to wake him up. Of course this causes an argument as soon as Zoro is up and in Sanji's face, you barely awake and rubbing your eyes to figure out what's happening.

“What the hell, I was sleeping.”

“You and the swordsman were,” Robin starts to smile while your eyes widen and you feel a blush creeping onto your cheeks, “but we need to get going soon.”

“R-Right… did um… anyone–”

“Yeah you were really cozy with Zoro all night.” Nami grins and you have to hide your face in your hands, Zoro and Sanji still shouting at each other while Usopp, Luffy, and Chopper are gathering their things like it's a game.

Once you all do take off, as you're running to leave, you nearly trip over the ground to the point Zoro grabs you like the sack of gold everyone has and throws you over his shoulder.

“Wait, Zoro!! Put me down!!” You pound on his back a bit before he adjusts you over his shoulder better.

“Not if you're gonna trip like that!”

You don't even bother to fight him and just hang there the rest of the way to Merry, Zoro finally putting you down once you all get there, Robin hears the quietest apology from him while you shake your head and move to help get everything ready to go.

They're very interesting, those two…maybe he does actually like her.

+!+

Landing back in the sea did not go as planned for you. Your air filled octopus balloon friend let you down easily for the most part, until he suddenly ran out of air and the Merry was being quickly dropped into the water. You grabbed as tightly to the railing as you could while everyone else did the same, or grabbed each other in the case of Luffy, Usopp and Chopper, and Sanji not at all complaining as Nami latched onto him. The splash down flooded the deck with water, but once it drained enough, Merry settled and you were back as close to solid ground as possible.

“Everyone good?!” Luffy shouts a bit, Usopp and Chopper still holding onto him while most everyone states they're fine. He furrows his brow when he doesn't hear your voice or see you. “Where's [Y/N]?”

“Did she get swept out when the water drained?!” Nami feels panic seep into her bones while she looks for you in the water.

The second Nami's question reaches him, Zoro is in the water on the side of the ship you'd been on, making what felt like the millionth rescue from water he'd done in his life, most of them being for you due to your inability to swim. The first time it happened you'd been pushed in by one of your bounty targets before Zoro struck them down, quick enough that he was able to reach in and pull you out by your shirt collar like a cat by the scruff of its neck while you flailed about. You didn't eat a Devil Fruit, your parents simply never taught you to swim. Your brother attempted to, but only for so long before your parents heard and barred you from doing so. A lady didn't need to know how to swim, your mother tried to reason with you.

Zoro's able to reach you in time before you get too far down in the sea, grabbing you by the waist and pulling you upwards, surfacing not even a minute after he'd jumped in, making you gasp for air and cling tightly to him, almost suffocating your constant savior while you spit up water from your lungs.

“Zoro's got [Y/N]!! Let the ladder down!”

You hated this, hated needing to be saved anytime you ended up in the water. It's become so much that you aren't sure if you really are crying while you grip onto Zoro, or if it's just water dripping down your face, despite how hard you're biting your lip and tightening your hold on him. It's not like you had a good excuse, not like those who had eaten Devil Fruits.

Zoro puts an arm around your shoulders and stops for just a second once he gets the both of you to the ladder before starting to climb up.

“Hey,” you almost miss him speaking to you, even once he starts trying to soothe you by rubbing your back, “I've got you. You're all right.”

He's quiet while he speaks to you, whispering reassurances that all is well, you're okay, he's not going to let you go until you're on the deck again. You're alive, he's saved you again, kept you from drowning like he has Chopper and Luffy in the past. Like he always has.

Sometimes it feels like all you do is take and take and take from Zoro, from all of them. You wonder sometimes if your parents were right, when they said you were nothing more than a greedy child still, always taking but never giving back. Despite the fact you do your fair share on the ship, in battles, it feels like you shouldn't be here.

Once you're back on the deck, you still don't let go of Zoro, even when he tells you to at least loosen your grip before you choke him to death. You do, at the very least, release your grip on his shoulders and instead hide your face in his shirt, trying to keep your worried crewmates from realizing you are crying after all. Zoro simply holds your head in place, even with Luffy and Usopp trying to check you over while Chopper runs to get his bag and help you. Sanji is quickly throwing his suit jacket around you and trying to get Luffy and Usopp away so they don't cause you more distress, while Robin suggests bringing you to your bed, and Nami's run off to your room to get dry, warm clothes for you. Despite the slight distrust he still feels for Robin, Zoro nods at her suggestion, bringing Sanji's jacket around you a bit more before lifting you up in his arms, knowing you weren't letting him go anytime soon. You don't let go, not even for a second, until you're in your room and Zoro has laid you on your bed, telling you to wait for Chopper to get there while he tries to leave and change into dry clothes himself. He's stopped only by you grabbing his wrist, wanting him to stay, before Zoro promises he'll come right back. You only let go after that, giving a slight nod when he turns to leave you to change clothes yourself.

“Zoro?”

He's almost out of the room before you stop him, making him look over his shoulder to you.

“Thank you…again.”

He shakes his head, telling you not to mention it.

“I'll always save you if you need it, wife.”

+!+

You're struck with a nasty fever and congested cough the next day, blaming it on the unexpected swim you'd taken and the slightly colder area you were in. Chopper's given you all the medicine you can take for now, to try and bring your fever down, the rest was up to your own body to fight it off. Your crewmates were kind enough to take turns watching you, as you all had done when Nami was ill before you brought Chopper on board. She and Zoro are the ones to spend the most time watching you; Luffy tries to cheer you up with jokes, Usopp tells you more of his tall tales, Robin has taken to reading to you from a book she'd let you borrow, Sanji is mostly quiet so you can sleep, and Chopper is in and out checking on you and seeing if your fever has reduced any. Nami is almost as quiet as Sanji, working on a map while you rest.

Then Zoro.

He continues to reassure you that everything is OK, not constantly while he's there but he can tell, when you trail off in your sentences and look away from him, that you feel bad about something. He's not sure what, but he tells you everything is alright, you're alive and you made it out of a fight against a false god and a near drowning.

“‘M sorry you have to watch me…instead of doing your training.”

If he'd been any closer to sleep, Zoro would've missed what you said entirely. Luckily for you, he's awake enough to raise an eyebrow and shake his head.

“Don't worry about it. It's what crewmates do.”

It's what a husband does too…

“I feel like all I do is take from you…”

You don't look at him, finding your ceiling more interesting as you look over the wood pattern to avoid his eyes. You know he'll try to reassure you again, Zoro was good at that, despite his indifference to your pretend marriage. He'd never made you feel like you were a burden or less than, even if you really did mostly take and rarely give in return.

Zoro's not even sure why he always tries to make you realize things are okay, that you haven't done anything wrong. He knows about your parents acting like you should be seen and not heard, such a crappy thing to do to your own child in his opinion. Your parents were well off, they’d give to you and your brother constantly, then make you feel like you were selfish for not returning the “favor” by marrying who they chose for you. They really seemed to embody the “not every parent deserves a child” belief.

Thank God you had someone who cared for you though.

Before even saying a word in response, Zoro quietly takes hold of your free hand, letting you lace your fingers with his and making you look him in the eye again.

“Take all you want, I'll give you what I can. You can return it another time, all right?”

You want to cry, as Zoro strokes your hand with his thumb, and you nod a bit, swallowing down the tears before they can start. The things he does to you, even after telling you he isn’t here for romance. The way he acts, the way he treats you, it really makes you want to believe he’s lying to himself, lying to you to keep up his image. It gives you the slightest bit of hope that things could change one day.

“O-okay…”

We're not a couple…I don't know why you put up with me…

Once your fever is past, you're back to your normal routine of helping out wherever possible on the ship, spending your free time in the kitchen with Sanji, helping Nami with a map, or staying near Zoro while he goes back to training. He doesn't mind if you quietly sit near him, whatever book you've borrowed from Robin in your lap. It feels almost domestic to him, and Zoro has to brush that thought away quickly, lest he start fantasizing about keeping you as his wife. He stops any random thoughts of you two sharing a bed permanently, of taking you out somewhere on the next island for a date, or convincing you to stay up with him during his night watch, just to talk about your relationship and future. No, those thoughts can't be entertained, not now at least, he can't be distracted by such frivolous feelings like wanting to hold your hand all of sudden, or expecting a good morning hug or whatever. Romance isn't in his plans, it's not on his radar. You being his wife isn't supposed to be permanent.

Still though, a thought lingers despite his pushing the others out, when Zoro catches you dozing off in the corner, still fatigued from your body fighting off that fever.

Would it really be so bad to stay married to her?

He's not sure, even as he sets his weight back in place, wiping away any sweat he can and putting on a shirt before settling himself next to you, gently leaning you against him as you sleep. You stir a bit but he quickly quiets you.

“Just me. Go back to sleep.”

“Mm…’kay…”

Despite the scent of steel and sweat, you snuggle closer to Zoro, him wrapping an arm around your shoulders to keep you still. He lays his head on top of yours, closing his eyes and letting those thoughts come back, not stopping a single one this time.

Thoughts of a possible future where you two stay married and act like it, where you treat each other as husband and wife, where you've both reached your goals, where you're settled down somewhere safe enough to have a child or two perhaps.

Thoughts Zoro never once imagined entertaining, but now they take over his dreams to the point he's started changing his mind.

Maybe not so bad.

#zoro x reader #roranoa zoro x reader #one piece x reader #reader insert #last forever

[charliejackson]

❝ I was drawn to all the wrong things. ❞

STATS:

Name: Charlie Jackson

Age: 36

Face Claim: Casey Deidrick

Occupation: Former journalist & owner of Last Call

Affiliation: Neutral

Gender & Preferred Pronouns: Cis male & he/him

BIOGRAPHY:

A place like Montana with its vast lands and strong ties to a time mostly moved on from by the rest of the country should've made yet another young man ready to pursue the life of a rancher or a cowboy. That wasn't Charlie. As the oldest of four, he was obsessed with basketball growing up and not the rodeo. He played anywhere he could; whether that was at the church yard, the YMCA, school, or dribbling around and shooting baskets into the hoop his father had put up for him, it was the determined plan of his life. Coupled with his height it seemed like basketball was better for him anyway rather than climbing his large and lanky frame onto a horse.

The other passion Charlie had was writing. His grandfather was a published and successful author, sat up there with the likes of Jim Harrison, and they would talk books all the time when they'd visit with each other. Which was often. They'd read and compare notes of the novels they'd dive into. Sometimes would even read the same titles so they could later have discussions on the contents. Then there were the confessions that had come out during those quality time moments. Where Charlie's grandfather would express things like how he wished he had gone into publishing and had moved out of Montana. Life would've and could've been so different had the generations carrying his surname grown elsewhere.

It wasn't that Oxbow Ridge was a bad place. Far from it. There was just something Charlie's grandfather had picked up in the wind one day. Said a storm was brewing, something that would leave this quiet and beautiful place changed forever. At the time, he understood nothing of what his pops was predicting but many years down the road he'd find himself mirroring the old man's sentiments on wishing he'd gotten out when he'd had the chance. And Charlie had once, he'd gone all the way to Arizona with an athletic scholarship to play basketball. Those were some of the greatest years of his life. The world was so different away from Montana and Oxbow Ridge.

In university he studied english and creative writing, played basketball and picked up beach volleyball, and ended up taking a bit of a detour. In needing to fulfill credits and requirements, Charlie took a journalism class and his writing got him noticed. he ended up really loving the writing style and found that he had natural instincts as an investigator. With that discovery, Charlie changed his major from english and creative writing to criminal justice. At that time he had begun thinking about extending his academic career towards law, to eventually become a lawyer. He had many talks with his father at this time, discussing his possible future and what direction to take. Despite the prestige that generally came with being able to brag that your child was a lawyer who made lots of money, Charlie’s dad directed him to chase where his interests lied most. That meant investigating. Charlie wasn’t sure if it was as a journalist or to sign up for the police academy and work his way up the ranks to eventually become a detective. The thought of putting in years and years into being a beat cop and rising through police ranks wasn’t appealing. Especially since he knew where his talents were. The man possessed natural instincts and ability, and to Charlie it seemed like a waste to spend that time doing anything other than what he felt he was made for.

Once he graduated, Charlie had a few daily newspapers seeking him out but he chose to return home and began working the crime desk at the biggest newspaper in Montana. It turned into a bit of an obsession for Charlie. He worked non-stop, covering the biggest crime stories in the state and while he built up a reputation it all came at the sacrifice of his family and friendships. While he worked and honed his investigation skills as a journalist, Charlie took up MMA. At first it was simply a base training in boxing, kick boxing, and Brazilian ju jitsu but then he also went on to learn how to handle a gun and shoot. He’d spend free time at the range when he wasn’t training in MMA, eventually going through the process of buying his own gun and carrying it. He had a knack for getting himself in tough situations, because he dug into a story deep and that could sometimes present hairy moments.

By the time a life changing story came about, he’d already paid the price that most did when they put their career first before anything else. Every single relationship he tried had failed due to him not being present enough. Charlie always put the work first. He believed what he was doing was important and had always been very proud, but it eventually took too big of a toll. When his mother was diagnosed with a heart condition, Charlie wrongly assumed he had more time than he did and not only missed out on most of her suffering and being there to be a support for her, he hadn’t been there when she passed away. Instead, Charlie had been off investigating a story that hadn't seemed like much at first.

The case turned out to be the biggest of his career, and maybe also the most dangerous. One that challenged him as a human being; his values, what he stood for, who has the right of justice. A woman had reached out to him, telling him about something that had been happening on cruise ships. It was something she had done little investigation into because her friend went missing at sea. Digging into it he found that there was a history to this, something that has never really been made hugely public and garnered enough press attention. Charlie went on the investigative hunt trying to find out what happened with this missing woman and found out there was one before her and almost a year to the date. In the end, he uncovered the truth and found the person responsible but committed his own crime in the process. Something Charlie now has to live with himself over. Since then he's stuck to a bar he'd bought when he'd first come into some money. Last Call. An investment made with en eerie foretelling that he couldn't do that writing forever. With that storm coming in he's managed to stay neutral, decidedly not picking a side in something he has no fight in. Plus, he's got his own demons to bury.

#introduction. #biography. #character study.

[kylo-wrecked]

@brooklynislandgirl :// { stop, criminal, love is not allowed in mos espa, nevada }

— ☾ —

Perhaps Beth's words are a comfort because they aren't meant to be comforting. There's a gentle candor to all she tells him, and faith in her eyes, eyes he wishes he'd made, touching him. Never seen a mirror anywhere—Ben finally laughs, almost laughs the stitches loose. But then, 'You can't turn me into a victim because I won' let you take my autonomy.'

And these hurt a little more than stitches. Even though she doesn't mean them to, they do, and the reflection of that hurt surfaces in Ben's bemused expression, the pupils dilated and searching, the downturned corners of the lips he doesn't know Beth wants to kiss.

He doesn't want to take anything from her. He doesn't want to take anything from anyone. Everybody in Mos Espa's looking to rip something away from somebody else—not him. Ben's looking for a way out, always has been, out of North Wetyin, out of high school, prison, and now. Now he follows the undertones of Beth's question and understands why he's got to answer it.

D.O. paws at the screen door while the moon climbs higher in her dusty sky, turning upright like a grin. Ben ignores them both and relents.

"Those boys." He glances at Beth again. She knows the ones; she'd yelled at them on at least one occasion. Then he looks away, turning his face, blanched by blood loss and shame, onto a stone shoulder. "One of them. Wasn't gonna fight 'em."

Assaulting an ex-con? Nobody's getting bagged on those charges. Ben suspects the kid with the knife in his hand isn't the one who planned the coup anyway. He recognizes the look on that young face; he knows those eyes. It's why Ben doesn't do mirrors. 

"I was that kid." 

The boy's face so full of dread and doubt, begging Ben to stop his hand, to stop everything, but there is no word. No word can call off the pack once the animal yelp of rage gets in their blood.

Mos Espa, North Wetyin, they could be the same town. Same blood wrath running through its veins. Same frenzied, unsupervised scions of ex-miners, ex-ranchers, and ex-rail workers. Same paper lantern moon that'll blow out or flare up at any moment, launching what's left of the earth beneath Ben's feet into world-reckoning fire and darkness.

"...A vicious thing," Ben agrees moments later, his gaze catching Beth's teeth. He can't know what she doesn't tell him, but when she works his flesh like he does wood and clay, when she presses the bandage on his exposed abdomen, he is forced to recall his body, the carapace he left behind in the hole, and the wound becomes a tidepool inside of him, teeming with a life he will never realize. 

"Not like you," he mutters against his clavicle. "Not-a-nurse."

Not at all; Beth's just a woman who paints and just so happens to have a medic's kit and the bedside manner of a five-hundred-year-old shaman. Well, he doesn't believe it. Witches took life oaths too. Maybe she heals all wounds with the lifeblood she calls home, which isn't too far off and, at the same time, couldn't be further from the truth. 

If he could be more than what he is, he would. 

"Don't go."  

He swallows Beth's hand in his and twilight with it. 

"Don't go."

#brooklynislandgirl #m. au | excon!ben: the drifter #r. heart shaped box

[touyaspeach]

Escapism was always his coping mechanism. Since he was a child, lost in the system and forever determined a latent criminal long before he even know what those words meant, much less the weight they carried, he'd turned to anything he could just to remove himself from this reality for a little while.

In the isolation facilities they give the children a number of enrichment tools, and Shuusei always enjoyed games. They were fun, kept his mind occupied, kept the truth of the world outside at bay.

He could be anything he wanted in those games. He could be the hero, instead of some kid locked away and forgotten by society. He could be strong, and larger than life, and he could always get the girl.

Being an Enforcer is far from the glamorous life he'd so often dreamed of, but at least he can pretend to be a hero. And if that meant being a meat shield then so be it. It was better than being locked away forever, waiting to die.

Sure, he would never get the girl. Sure, he would never be more than a dog. But isn't being a dog better than being nothing at all?

His love for stories and the people that occupied them continued throughout his life. There are certain freedoms that you get as an Enforcer that you aren't given as a ward, and one of them is access to a whole world of stories. Of games. Of fantasies.

"Why do you like those games so much?" you'd asked once, and he smiled. It wasn't often anyone showed interest in his hobbies, and he was more than happy to indulge.

"Sometimes I think, this is how life was supposed to be, you know? Where anyone can be anything, where someone like me can be someone like this."

As he showed you the character, a man with bulging muscles and a stoic expression, your heart broke.

"Would you like to play? I can start a new game, the female lead has a really cool design, I think you'd like her."

And that's how you fell in love with those heroes and their stories, and by proxy the man who would never get to be one. Late nights turned to early mornings of both of you just being together, playing those games and living tales from a time so long ago nobody remembers.

He'd never know it, you'd never get the chance to tell him, but he was always more of a hero in your eyes. He never thought he could live up to those sparkling vestiges locked behind analog screens, but he was never anything short of them to you.

Maybe, in some world where children aren't made into criminals before they can understand what the word means and the weight it carries, he'd have created such games. Such worlds full of wonder and delight, such characters that were larger than life and more than he'd ever hope to be. Perhaps, in doing so, he'd become everything he was meant to be.

Escapism is better than the truth.

You still believe it to this day. The truth is ugly, it breaks and rends and destroys. It kills. But those stories remain, true and untouched.

He remains within them, you can still feel it. Still hear the sound of his voice excitedly explaining everything he loved and everything he wanted.

In the end, he was just a story. In the end, he was just a boy turned into a criminal who dreamt of more. And seeking the truth killed him.

It took a long time before you were able to turn on the console again, the progression exactly where you and Shuusei had left off. It took even longer to gather yourself beyond your sorrow and see it to the end.

In the end, we are all just a story. The story of a love never realized, of kisses never given. Of a family never had, and of a hero never made.

In the end he was just a boy. An unsavable soul labeled a criminal too early without the hope for something more. But he was always your hero, and he'd always remain in the stories he loved to share.

#man idk #i'm suffering #kagari shuusei #kagari shuusei x reader #kagari shuusei angst #shuusei angst #cw major character death #cw death #ugh he makes me so fucking sad I'm so fucking sad #psycho pass

[hnychn]

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 [𝐈𝐈𝐈]

sypnosis : life with your five lovers has been more than fulfilling, but when you're paired with a student from general studies for a project, your quintet seems a little less full

word count : 4000+

warnings : mutual pining, gender neutral reader, relationship insecurities, bakugo tries but. . .it doesn't go as well as he planned, grammar errors and spelling errors, it's . . . a long one, a bit rushed at the end so uhh pls don't mind that :)

parts : [ 𝐈 ] [ 𝐈𝐈 ] [ 𝐈𝐈𝐈 ]

a/n : so sorry for the long wait LMAO- i know i said my bokuto fic would be coming out today but uhhh ahaha my depression hit me full force this weekend and i didn't even look at the dock because i was too busy sleeping, but uhh enjoy this :D

↩︎ back to student masterlist | main mha masterlist

- WELCOME TO PART THREE sorry for the log wait 😭 life has been kicking my ass but we're not here to hear me complain, we're here for the tea

- so, it's a couple months after you joined the bakusquad and their relationship. and let me tell you, it has been nothing but amazing. 😩 your days are never quiet and they're always filled with some sort of excitement and love.

- you kaminari and mina often get into trouble for leaving the dorms late at night because you want snacks and there's nothing in the kitchens. you become kirishima's pillow, don't matter about your size or whatever, you are his pillow and you better not argue 🔫 sero always puts on some type of bachata or reggaeton or some spanish song and dances with you in his dorms. and bakugo is your go to person to cook with and just generally annoy or prank since it's so easy to get a reaction out of him.

- and you couldn't have asked for a better relationship. you all are so communicative and talk about your feelings often and how you're doing. every saturday or sunday, you all go to a dorm (usually it's bakugo's cause it's the cleanest) and have a huge cuddle pile and talk about your mental states, how you're doing, what you have problems with, etc etc.

- like damn ok i see you with the mentally and emotionally stable relationship 🤪🤪

- it's so refreshing too because sometimes you'll have a tough week and you jsut need to let it all out, and you can in the comfort of bakugo's dorm and you know none of them will judge you because they're all so open about their love for you (and vise versa)

- anyways, yeah y'all got the best relationship

- you never thought about anyone else in a romantic sense because the squad took up nearly all of the space in your heart. but when you teacher announced one day the general studies kids would be coming in to have a joint project to create gadgets for the hero course students, you had no idea your life would suddenly be turned upsidedown.

- you were paired with a guy named shinsou. he looked friendly enough and returned the wave you sent him with a little surprise as he made his way to the open seat next to you. he seemed surprised when you started a small conversation but he talked to you in a quiet soothing voice. he seemed nice enough and you figured the project would be a breeze since he seemed so nice and offered to meet up over the weekend to start up some ideas for the project.

- you agreed and the two of you met up that lunch period in the library to pre-draft some ideas and get to know each other more.

"i'm surprised you don't mind being seen with me."

his sudden comment took you by surprise as you looked up from your paper with messily drawn gadgets and chicken scratch writing to look up at him, "what do you mean?"

it was true you had never seen him before or even heard of him, but his hesitance to talk to you and open up to you made you feel as though you should.

shinsou rubbed the back of his neck and looked away shyly, "so you really haven't heard anything about me, have you?"

he looked almost guilty to bring it up, his gaze falling to the table in front of him as be played with a strand of his hair.

you shook your head. you never really payed attention to gossip around school, your head always too high up in the clouds to care about rumors and gossip (bakugo often scolded you for being such an airhead and ignorant to your surroundings, but you knew he was just worried about something happening to you). plus, to you, gossip was nearly never right and more often made up and fictitious.

shinsou refused to look up at you, "well. . .i'm known throughout the school as a. . ." he looked hesitant to continue but before you could reassure him he didn't have to talk about it if he didn't want to, he continued, "well, a villain."

he prised his lips as if the words left a bitter taste in his mouth, and all you could do was tilt your head. shinsou didn't seem like a bad person - or a 'villain' as he had said. on the way to the library he held open doors for you and helped you carry some of your books to your locker and even bought you a drink you wanted buy but were a bit short of change on.

"do you think you are?"

"what?" shinsou looked at you for the first time since he brought up the topic.

"do you think you're a villain?" he shuffled slightly in his seat and looked away again from your intense stare. he felt like you were looking straight into his soul from how strongly you were looking into his eyes, he wasn't sure if you had even blinked in the last minute.

shinsou thought back to all the times he's been called a villain or a criminal. it was always unwarranted, a passing comment that seemed like no big deal to others but shattered his heart into smaller and smaller pieces. but never once had he ever thought he was a villain - a monster.

if anything, he used those comments as encouragement to become a hero, to be better than those who always thought he would turn to a life of crime. so, "no... i don't think i'm a villain."

"well, that's that."

shinsou could only stare at you, your smile brighter than any star he'd ever seen, so full of hope and encouragement shinsou felt like he could take on the world. he looked away and rubbed the back of his neck, a shy smile pulling at his lips and a weird feeling blossoming in his chest. how curious. . .

- so yeah, a new friendship 🤪 the two of you started to spend a lot of free time together for the project. you would often meet up during lunches or free time between classes to work some more on the project, all the while getting to know each other in depth. you learned many things about shinsou and spilled many of your own secrets, you laughed together over old childhood stories, and played animal crossing on the rooftop during lunch, your project discarded and forgotten beside you.

- your sudden absence didn't go unnoticed by your lovers, and they grew curious to your whereabouts when you would blow them off for the fifth time that week to "work on your project". now, don't get me wrong, they had conplete trust in you and knew you would never cheat, but they were just curious as to what - or who - was taking up so much of your time.

- so, they did the smartest thing, and followed you. after blowing them off for the sixth time, they decided to follow you to your destination. mina and kaminari tried to be inconspicuous and wear disguises, but the fake mustache, black glasses (indoors, might i add) and hat weren't all too discreet as they thought.

- they followed you through every turn and weave you took and hid behind a corner when you stopped at a vending machine to get your favourite drink. but what surprised them the most was you also bought a coffee. bakugo was most surprised you even thought about even touching the can of caffine because he remembered you telling him you would get terrible caffine rushes that would make you dizzy if you drank coffee.

- but, as you finally reached the rooftop and made your way to a hunched over figure in the corner, it all made sense.

- they all saw how effortlessly you and shinsou acted around each other. they could see the soft looks he would send you when you weren't looking and the way his hand would hover over yours for a split second too long before snapping away as if you were made of lava. but surprisingly, they didn't feel any sort of jealousy or anger, it felt like a piece of them had returned they didn't even know was missing. the sort of feeling that walks through the door unexpectedly but it's wholesomely welcomed.

- the "oh, there you are, welcome back" type of feeling. they were happy you had found someone that made you feel comfortable, arguably more comfortable than you had been with them so far because truthfully, while you had felt welcomed and appreciated in the relationship, it still felt like you were an outsider. the five of them had inside jokes before you came and didn't get them when they came up, the five of them had habits special to each other that inadvertently excluded you. and while they never meant to hurt you (god knows that's the last thing they ever wanted to do), they had. but you knew that wasn't their intention so you held no malitious feelings towards them (not that you think you'd ever could).

- but the way you and shinsou so effortlessly opened up to each other, shared intimate details and secrets with each other - it warmed their hearts. so, bakugo grabbed them all by the back of their shirts and dragged them away, mumbling about giving the two of you space. there was a fond look in his eyes as he looked at the two of you he would be teased about later but would deny.

- it was undeniable bakugo held the softest spot for you. he tried as best as he could to include you in their inside jokes and habits but he was. . well . . . bakugo 🧍🏽‍♀️

- words aren't necessarily his strong suit and he could only hope his smaller actions let you know you were as loved and cherished as any of them there. and you knew, you caught on a little after bakugo had a little "secret talk" with the group (that wasn't really secret at all, he grabbed them all by their shirts and dragged them to a secluded spot while you distracted on your phone) and they all started to explain their jokes and include you in their habits.

- anyways, back to you and shinsou. 🤪 he was aware you were in a ployamorous relationship with the bakusquad and he's heard the way you talk about them and the soft airy tone of your voice and the starry look in your eyes; and he didn't want to get in between that. the last thing he ever wanted was to ruin your relationship for his own selfish reasons.

- so for the time being, he would be okay with watching you from afar, the sweetness of your love so close for him to taste; yet too far for him to savour.

- as more and more times passed, the bakusquad began to notice the lingering looks you would give shinsou when you passed him in the halls and how he would always be waiting for you outside of your class with your favourite drink before leaving you to go to lunch while he went off and . . . well, you weren't sure what he did during his free time, but he never brought it up so you never figured to ask.

- when you fell asleep the next time you all had a cuddle session in bakugo's room, they all talked about it. talked about your obvious feelings for each other and the possibility of including shinsou in their relationship. they spent hours talking about it and still talked about it even when the moon vanished over the horizon and the sun rose. and, in not very smart fashion, bakugo was tasked to confronting shinsou about their conclusion.

- which - almost as if there were an author behind all of this - didn't go as well as any of them planned.

it was perfect, really. almost as if the universe had been listening to their conversation and aligned itself perfectly for this very moment.

you woke up that morning with a terrible stomach ache and chose to stay back in your dorm after bakugo made you a bowl of soup and threatened you to take your medicine. his classes ended a little earlier than usual and, sending his lover's a nod, made his way over to your class, where, lo and behold, shinsou was standing near the door, the familiar brand of your favourite drink in one hand and his own cold coffee in the other.

bakugo wasn't sure what he was going to say when he reached shinsou. he opted to just speak from the heart over rehearsing lines with the others like they had wanted, besides, what kind of lover would be be if he couldn't even do this for you? but, what he didn't take into consideration, was his emotional constipation and tsundere attidute.

"hey, eye bags!" bakugo called out.

shinsou nearly jumped out of his skin at bakugo's sudden loud voice. he looked over with the same eyes of indifference he normally had, but bakugo could see the slight far in them. not at his brash attitude (shinsou could never be afriad of bakugo and confronting him before the sports fesitval was a perfect example of that) but the fear of ruining your relationship with the bakusquad.

shinsou nodded at bakugo when he got close enough. bakugo stood in front of him, his hands still shoved into the pockets of his pants, "they're sick."

it was a simple enough statement but shinsou blinked, "what?"

"y/n." bakugo stated and rolled his eyes as if the answer had been written on his forehead (and it basically had, shinsou was just a bit shocked at his appearance), "they're sick and mina's staying back with them in their dorm."

shinsou rubbed the back of his neck, "oh."

there was an awkward silence as the two boys stood in the vacant hallway. bakugo didn't know what to say and shinsou wasn't sure if he should leave or go visit you for their lunch break.

"i'll go drop this off to them-"

"no." bakugo practically growled, "i'll drop it off. go get eat your lunch or i'll make your face an eye bag."

shinsou flushed a bit in embarrassment. he was overstepping, of course he was. for a minute, having you all to himself for nearly a week straight made him forget about the relationship you were in and this was a smack of reality. you weren't his. you were in a relationship with others, other people who could give you nearly double what he could - everything he couldn't.

handing bakugo the drink, shinsou stalked away to the cafeteria, his cheeks still a light shade of pink. bakugo sighed and knew he most likely made things worse, and he came there originally to make things right.

but fate will work itself out. and what will be, will be.

- so... maybe sending bakugo wasn't the best idea ... 🧍🏽‍♀️

- because now, shinsou started avoiding you. when the two for you worked on your projects together, he would remain mostly silent and only input his opinion when he thought of an idea or needed help putting something together. you had no idea why and you honestly felt a little hurt that he ignored you as easily as breathing.

- you brought this up to your lovers on your weekly cuddle session, knowing they would have brought up your downpour attitude either way. what you didn't notice as your face was burried in denki's sweater were the glares they all were throwing at bakugo.

- "yeah, i wonder what happened..." sero smiled, though obviously strained, as he pet your head and told you shinsou was probably just going through something.

- and it was obvious you were hurt that shinsou had suddenly stopped talking to you because honestly it was kind of hard for you to make friends. a lot of people assumed you thought you were higher than everyone else because you were dating five students from the top hero course, but that obviously is far from the truth.

- anyways, a long time goes by and the two of you still haven't rekindled anything and the squad is getting a bit frustrated because hello??? join our cult lover circle ?????

- so the squad comes up with another solution and this time they don't send bakugo to collect shinsou

- they learned their mistake last time.

- anyways

- so sero goes and gets shinsou and tells him you need him for a little last touch of the project since it was near the due date and you wanted to make sure it was perfect. and shinsou agrees to meet up with you and follows sero.

- sero takes him into an empty classroom and it's pitch black. the windows have been covered with tape and all the lights are off. before he could ask what the hell was going on, the door slams shut and the lights suddenly turn on and shinsou's blinded for a moment.

- and he's met with a very interesting sight.

- mina, kaminari, and kirishima are standing in front of him with sunglasses and hats on, their arms are crossed and they have a blank look on their faces (though he can tell kaminari is about to burst into laughter and nearly does but kirishima jabs him in his side.)

- "uhh..."

- "shut up, eye bags." bakugo calls from behind him. he's leaning against the door with his arms crossed and an obviously pissed off look on his face.

- sero is just standing next to him with a 'sorry pal' kind of smile.

- "what is-"

- "what are your intentions with, y/n?" kaminari shouted suddenly as he slammed his hand on a nearby desk.

- "denki- no." mina pushed him back lightly, "that's not what-"

- "did you not listen last night, sparky?" bakugo rolled his eyes and scoffed lightly.

- kaminari shyly scratched his cheek, "i might have fellen asleep-"

- "he did." sero confirmed, "he drooled on me and everything.

- "I do not drool!!"

- "yes you do, it was like a waterfall, 'ki. "

- "no i don't, right kiri?"

- "well.. only a few drops.."

- "WHAT?! and none of you told me?!"

- "well, y/n kind of made us promise not to tell..."

- "SPEAKING OF Y/N," mina interjected into the conversation, her fingers rubbing at her temples as she wondered when she became the rational one, that was bakugo's job, "why don't we stick to the script, boys."

- kirishima slung an arm over her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her cheek, "sorry, princess."

- "right." sero turned to shinsou and crossed his arms, "you have feelings for them don't you?"

- shinsou tensed. his mind was still trying to comprehend the conversation that happened just a few seconds ago and processing the fact that kaminari drools in his sleep. he wasn't sure how to respond.

- of course he had feelings for you, any rational person who came into contact with you would catch feelings. it was part of your natural charm that seemed to effortlessly draw people in and never let them go. in a matter of minutes, you had simultaneously become his best friend and his closest confidant. often at night he cursed himself for catching feelings for you when things were perfect just the way they were.

- but shinsou couldn't help it. you had treated him like a normal person and weren't apprehensive about his quirk. you gave him a taste of normalcy in his world of anxieties and judgement, and he craved more and more the more time he spent with you.

- so dispte wanting to desparately scream 'yes, i do love her' at the top of his lungs, he looked down at the ground, "no. . . i . . i don't."

- "liar."

- bakugo seethed behind him.

- shoving himself off the wall he was leaning on, bakugo walked closer and closer to shinsou as he spoke, "don't lie. we all see the way you look at them, the way your stupid face lights up with a small smile when they're with you or the airy chuckle you give when they do one of those stupid dances when they make food and-"

- "OK OK I GET IT!" shinsou snapped. mina jumped slightly in kirishima's arms and shinsou sent her a small apologetic look, "you know! I'm in love with them! i've been. . ." he trailed off before collapsing into a chair behind him, his head hanging back and staring into the bright flourescent lights hanging from the ceiling.

- "i've been trying to distance myself from them, to make getting over them easier."

- "they've been hurting, y'know."

- shinsou groaned and hid his face in his hands, "i know. you think i don't see the looks they give me when i avoid them in the halls? it hurts knowing i'm the reason they're in pain."

- "so why are you doing it?"

- "because they have you guys," shinsou sighed as it if we're the most obvious thing in the world, "you all could love them a lot more than i ever could alone. plus, they're so happy with you, i couldn't be the reason to disturb that."

- "you gotta be fucking kidding me." bakugo growled and pinched the bridge of his nose.

- kaminari snorted, "i think i just got deja vu."

- "you could say that again," mina sighed, "i'm heading back to the dorms, this is giving me a headache."

- with his arm still slung over her shoulder, kirishima agreed, "yeah, not sure how we didn't see this from the beginning. i'll walk you back, princess."

- shinsou only stared blankly as mina and kirishima left the room with kaminari in tow, complaining about getting some math work done. never in his life did he feel as confused as he did now

- lost. mans was lost..

- someone get him a map and help him please

- they acted as if they hadn't been the ones to literally kidnap him

- only to nonchalantly walk out the door?????

- sero's voice snapped him back to the remaining two people in the room, "you two really are a match made in heaven." sero smiled at him and shinsou felt head rise in his cheeks, whether it be from embarassment or something else, he didn't know.

- "i'll see you two around" and then he left, leaving shinsou alone with bakugo, who had yet to realease the bridge of his nose from his pinch.

- "you're both a pair of dumbasses."

- "i'm offended-"

- "y/n said the same fucking thing when we confronted them."

- shinsou stayed silent.

- "they felt like their presence would ruin the routine we had set a long time ago when we first started our relationship. . . sound familiar?"

- shinsou rubbed the back of his neck and opened his mouth to speak, but bakugo interrupted.

- "shut up, eye bags, i'm not finished."

- "i dIdNt eVEn sAy aNyTHiNg"

- "sure there were some things we had to adjust to include them in our schedule and a whole new bundle of emotions to incorporate into our lives; but the while point of a relationship is to open up slowly and learn to trust the ones you love. and eventually, we all learned to trust them the same way they learned to trust us; but trust isn't something you can learn over night. it's gradual."

- bakugo sighed, how in the hell did he get stuck in this situation again. at the very least no one got injured this time, "what I'm trying to say is, if y/n makes you happy, then we're all willing to let you in our relationship and put our trust in you.

- "will you put your trust in us?"

- how dramatic ˙ ͜ʟ˙

- so

- :) shinsou decides, fuck it. i deserve the good things in life, and he puts his trust in the squad the same way they all put their trust in him.

- and they decided it was a good time to surprise you too and kill two birds with one stone :)

- so you walk in to bakugo's dorm after a long day of school. you were returning from turning in your project with shinsou, and while the teacher had given you many compliments and basically secured your A, you still felt a bit sad knowing it would be the last time you would see shinsou since your schedules didn't collide and you had ended on a . . . confusing note.

- so you were just looking to cuddle with your lovers on a Friday night and wallow away in your sadness.

- when you walked in the group had been piled in their natural spots on bakugo's bed. mina was giggling with kaminari as they scrolled through tiktok, bakugo was reading a book you had reccomend to him a while a go, sero and kirishima were softly play fighting as they laughed and chuckled.

- everything was as it should be

- until you got to where your spot usually was, cradled between bakugo's warm and firm chest and mina's plush thighs and stomach, and it was occupied by someone else.

- everyone stopped what they were doing, as they watched a smile pull at your lips when you recognised the disheveled pruple hair lazily sprawled in your spot. everyone watched with bated breath as they waited for your reaction and small smiles of their own shining through as they watched your interaction.

- you lifted your hand and smacked shinsou's knee that had been raised up slightly as one of his arms lay behind his head and the other fiddled with a bracelet around mina's wrist, and his lips pulled into a lazy smirk of his own as he watched you.

- "get up, fat head, you're in my spot."

- his smirk only grew.

- "do something about it, hero."

see my pinned post to join my taglist (^ム^)

#mha headcanons #my hero academia #imagines #mha #bakugo x reader #mina x reader #sero x reader #kaminari x reader #kirishima x reader #poly bakusquad #bakusquad poly #shinsou x reader #my hero academia imagines #mha x reader #gender neutral reader

[wh6res]

spectator | jeno

"don't cry, little dove. i'm not even done yet." — ljn

TW mafia au, blood, violence, mentions of prostitution and brothels, mentions of past torture, extreme power imbalance, dumbification, they used a tranquilizer

A/N first half is told in renjun's pov also this is for dino anon hehe thank u for the inspo babes!!

DISC i don't condone anything. this isn't love.

WC 1.4k

renjun was fairly new to the mafia but it didn't take him long to realize the outrageous things they considered are the norms here. one of the first things he noticed is a cute little bunny dressed in scraps that always seemed to tail jeno wherever he went. jeno was his superior, albeit they were the same age, so it sucked that renjun had to use honorifics.

oftentimes he ignores you when jeno stands before him giving orders, or when they pass by each other in the hallways and stop to exchange pleasantries.

as renjun quickly climbed the ranks thanks to his agility and cunning mind, you, unfortunately, remained in the same position—always sitting by jeno's feet like a puppy, a body, a plaything, a whore. there were rumors that the boss gave his executives a chance to pick from the litters before they're shipped off to brothels, kind of like peace offerings in exchange for their compliance.

people said the stoic, muscular young man never really indulged himself in such temporary matters. until probably two years ago, until jeno first laid his eyes on you and decided then and there you were too pretty to become a random whore in the chain of brothels the mafia owned. the petite boy believes maybe it's a disguised blessing on your part, at least you'd only have to deal with one man every night, right?

renjun can only look at you from afar, keeping in mind not to stare too openly nor too intrusively that your owner notices. he's seen the bruises. the purple and black patches of your skin and renjun never gets used to it. his stomach turning at the idea of jeno deliberately marking your skin where the oversized shirt you wear won't be able to cover. the chinese immigrant would be stupid not to notice what that meant—it's jeno's clear sign of dominance, of the severe power imbalance, and not a single man in this building can stop him from doing whatever he wants to you.

renjun managed to piece things together thanks to his naturally observant nature. jeno never punished you for what you did, he punished you because he knows he can't touch his subordinates for something measly such as bumping or staring at his whore. the young mafia executive decides to take it out on you instead, albeit the flawed logic and unfairness of it all—proof that every person in this criminal organization is fucked up in the head.

despite jeno's maltreatment, renjun never heard a single complaint from you nor can he detect a feeling of rebellion out of you. you were so eerily compliant that the chinese can't help but think of what other horrible means jeno did for you to become so broken. renjun tried thinking about it, once, but never again. he can be cruel if he wants to be, but not without purpose. not because he gets a kick out of seeing a face twisted in terror. he wasn't like jeno, who smiled and laghed after blowing someone's brain up in the mafia's torture rooms.

this is why jeno is the only man fit for the job, the reason he became an executive at such a young age—there's no man he can't break for information. renjun doesn't know what jeno does to the poor people in the torture rooms but the piercing screams are enough to decide never to go against his superior.

renjun never thought he'll live the day to hear your screams coming from one of those rooms.

"what?" he does a double-take, eyes wide and unbelieving. "what do you mean she's in there? that's her, right now?"

haechan shrugs, wincing when he hears another scream coming from inside the room. he'll never know why these rooms aren't soundproof, maybe it was a way for jeno to keep his subordinates in line—"hear that? just be grateful that's not you."—you wouldn't want to cross a man who has no moral compass. "yeah. i heard she tried to escape."

renjun doesn't like the cool, amused smirk on haechan's face as he leaned back against the door, looking like everything is okay when it's not. "heard she got like… what, ten feet? give or take—yeah, i think ten feet out the door before jaemin's men tranqed her so much she would have slept for a week."

it was easy for renjun to detach himself, disregard his own set of beliefs and sweep them all under the pretense of "it's just work, nothing personal" but with you, it felt different. he knows you. well, knows of you. it's different, personal even, when he can match a face to those gruesome, ear-shattering screams that wracked through his bones.

he wanted to help you.

renjun wanted to help you.

but no, he didn't want to get shot in the head for insubordination.

jeno manually props you against the wall, cringing at the trail of blood that stains the tiles and pools underneath you. your shirt—rather, jeno's—was soaked through with the crimson liquid, your hair sticking to the side of your head. it feels like you were burning from the inside with every breath you take.

maybe months, years, of compliance made you forgetful. after all, jeno is a man of his word, through and through. he can only threaten you so much until he snaps. maybe he deemed the swift punishments and his harsh words insufficient. but who were you kidding? with the stunt you pulled… fuck, why did you even think of making a run for it? you should've known you won't even make it across the street! stupid. stupid. stupid.

you swore never to make him angry enough to bring you back down here in the torture chambers—this is his domain, and you shivered in fear with every fleeting thought you have about what he does behind those cement walls.

the first time jeno took you down here had been granted by the boss himself (see, the man running the mafia has favorites). jeno's men held you by the arms and made you watch as he killed a poor guy with his bare hands. slowly, excruciatingly, bleeding out because of the wounds jeno inflicted with his fists alone.

the second time was because of your first escape attempt. ah, you had been so energetic back then. always talking back, snarling and cursing him out. after that second time, you've become more compliant and have thoroughly embodied whatever sick fantasy jeno had of you. his broken doll, unseeing, unthinking, who breathes and lives only because he wanted her to.

you've heard him countless times say how much he missed that energetic personality you had. but only because you knew at least then he'd think the cruel punishments are justified.

oftentimes, he'll say it when you two are alone, in his room at headquarters, too disgustingly intimate like lovers and not a whore and her owner. his cold lips leavees a sweet trail on your neck, blood-stained hands soiling your skin underneath the dirty shirt, before finally slotting himself next to you as the cot creaks with the extra weight. he reeked of sweat and metallic and his eyes hazy from that post-bloodlust high.

jeno's boots squelch when he steps closer. never crouching, he wanted you to feel that severe power imbalance between the two of you.

"i won't ask you to apologize. not when i know you don't mean it."

you don't bother to reply. not because you don't want to but because you can't, voice utterly hoarse and scratchy from screaming while jeno breaks and tears you down as if he doesn't whisper the words i love you at night. you're his lover only when he needs you to be. sad, that he rarely felt the need of a lover and more so needed a cunny to fuck.

finally, he crouches. slow and never breaking eye contact. he raises a hand to push a strand of hair away from your face probably. you flinch. he doesn't care. "jeno, please don't touch me." but he touches you anyway.

you feel the callouses in his palms as he caresses your face. the calm before the storm. the deep inhale before the plunge. jeno grabs your chin and tilts your head up, a serene smile ghosting his lips. he looked at peace. satisfied. and you have never been more scared of him than you ever did in the last four years.

"don't cry, little dove. i'm not even done yet."

jenoluck (c) all rights reserved

#nct imagines #nct scenarios #renjun imagines #renjun scenarios #jeno imagines #jeno scenarios #yandere kpop #yandere nct dream #yandere nct 127 #yandere wayv #tw mafia #tw mafia au #tw blood #tw mentions of prostitution #tw mentions of torture #tw violence #tw power imabalance #taeyong scenarios #nct dream scenarios #nct headcanons #yandere jeno #jaehyun imagines #jaehyun scenarios #lucas imagines #lucas scenarios #nct dream headcanons #nct 00 line smut #nct smut #00 line smut #tw dumbification

[meshlasolus]

Cruel Irony

10/?

Bale!Bruce Wayne x reader

Sorry i skipped posting yesterday i got a little caught up in reading rather than writing! I'm going to probably write a whole lot this weekend so I can post throughout next week while I'm on vacation so hopefully I won't miss any more posting days.

Series Summary: Growing up on infinity Island, Moyra is taught very well in the art of assassination. As the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, she sits highly amongst the brotherhood known as the League of Shadows. When her father orders her to lure a stranger from the outside to be recruited amongst the mysterious clan, she will question everything she's ever believed.

Chapter Warnings: fluff, slight angst, but mostly fluff

A week had passed since Bruce and I's arrival, and he had earlier today made an appearance at Wayne Enterprises. I was waiting at home when he came through the door, a smile on his face.

He and Aflred and I went straight down to the cave in the south east wing upon Bruce coming home. He mentioned he had a lot to discuss with us.

I helped him rig some of the lighting systems, holding his cable for the harness that secured him to the rocky cavern wall.

He began telling us all about his ideas to become a crime fighter, but not just any crime fighter. He wanted to be a symbol of hope, and justice. A symbol that would provide something for the criminals to be afraid of. A symbol to regain the peace of Gotham City. Without knowing what the symbol was, Alfred and I had begun to question him on it.

"How do bats sound?" He asked in return, and I scoffed.

"Given that this cave is full of them... terrifying." I admitted, letting some slack on the cable he was suspended from so he could come down a bit and line up more wires.

"Perfect." He replied, this time pulling on the cord so I could bring him back to the rocky ground. He unclasped the harness and dusted off his hands.

"I think that's a worthy amount of work for today..." Alfred told him as he finished up with the last of his projects in the bat cave. Another project would be scraping some of the guano from the walls. It didn't really harm anything, it just smelled bad.

As we made our way to our rooms, with Alfred going off into the kitchen to make sure dinner was being prepared, Bruce caught me in the hallway.

"I wanted to let you know I got you that interview..." he began, and I looked at him with a little curiosity at first. "For the job at Wayne Enterprises."

"Right... you think I got an actual shot?" I wondered what his take on my chances were. Surely this was all just so I could avoid suspicion, and not to be an actual career.

"Maybe. I mean, you're well spoken, sharper than a knife, and you're intelligence is far beyond even most of the men in that building." He complimented, coming a little closer. "Not to mention beautiful."

My head snapped to attention on that one. Whether the intention was just friendly, or as something more, I couldn't really tell. All I knew was that I was falling deeper into this hole I'd created.

"Thank you, Bruce." I nodded to him, and he did the same with a smile, turning into his room and shutting the door. I'd stayed still in the hallway, thinking about what I should do.

The day he brought me here, I'd finally realized I loved him. Those feelings I'd been keeping on the back burner for so long because I didn't know what they meant. When he'd held me in his arms while leaning in after telling me I looked like his mother, that was the day everything clicked in my head. I knew as I looked into his eyes that he was the object of my affection. The way that I had without a shadow or ounce of regret chosen to leave my family behind, to betray every teaching that has been put in my head, and made it known that the only person my loyalties were layed for was Bruce, made me believe that I had loved him the whole time. Since I saw him in the market that first day. The way he intrigued me like no other man ever had.

I didn't know if he should ever return my love, but I knew that I would indulge myself in his presence every day, and not let my feelings fade... just for the chance he may feel the same.

-

Late that night, after the staff was finished with their daily hours and had either gone home or gone to bed in their quarters, I curled up on a chair in my room by the window. The glass pane had been opened up, so the only thing to block out the cold and rainy evening was a thin mesh screen. It still let the breeze in, which I was great for.

I pulled the sleeves of my sweater over my hands to keep them a bit warm, though completely ignoring the fact that my legs were entirely bare, aside from the minuscule pair of silk shorts Bruce bought me. Speak of the devil...

"Hey...." Bruce stood leaning in the doorway of my room, his arms crossed as he looked over at the scene before him with his head tilted.

"Hey." I smiled, happy to see him, although a little confused as to why he was here. "I thought you went to bed."

"Can't sleep." He shrugged, waking over and pulling the other large and rather ornate chair next to mine so he could sit down.

I turned away from the window and to him slightly, admiring his figure in the dark, moonlit room. His hair was tousled, and his eyes were puffy, like he'd been craving sleep all day. He wore a gray long sleeved shirt, with matching sweatpants. He looked so comfortable I could not Imagine how he could have trouble sleeping... especially on such a wonderful night as this.

"I take it you can't sleep either." He furrowed his brows, while observing how I was so carefully perched on the chair, clearly I did not have the intention of sleeping soon.

"I'm still not used to the time difference I guess." I brought my lips together in a thin line, then gazed back out at the beautiful courtyard surrounding my bedroom window, the way it was all covered with mud and rain made it feel more familiar to me. The cold was familiar.

"I see." He nodded, turning to look at the lovely scene that held my line of sight. He'd almost forgotten how much he hated the rain when he was a child. He loved to play, and explore. When it rained his mother and Alfred would give him speeches about how you must stay inside during storms to avoid getting sick. For that reason he hated the storms... but now?

Sitting here beside his closest confidant for the last four years, while listening to the soft raindrops fall down the roof of the house and the walls and pillars on the side, he felt so at peace, and calm. He felt as though this moment would prepare him for all the bad ones he was going to face as a crime fighter. It was a moment he definitely needed, and would keep as a memory to think of whenever he felt stressed or worried.

"I'm gonna have to put a training area down in the cavern.... maybe you could help me design it, make it more like what you're used to." He said all of a sudden, the thought had just randomly entered his mind. He scooted his chair closer to mine using his foot on the ground.

"Well, I'm not sure we'll have the time, what with bringing justice to the city and all." I partly joked, but I knew he would ask me.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I assume you're gonna need help. All heroes have their sidekicks." I could sense he was not fond of the idea right away, which is why I tried to present it in such so that it seemed light hearted.

"You can't fight out there, Moyra. It's too dangerous." He said seriously, to which I almost had to laugh.

"Bruce, of all the things in this world that I am afraid of facing, a few thugs with guns don't make the list." I spoke confidently, but he shook his head, set on his sights of not letting me near the city's criminals.

"You don't know Gotham like I do. It's not just a few guys looking to pick fights in the streets of the marketplace. These men, I know what they can do-"

"And we can stop them." I interrupted, knowing that even if this turned into a fight, it would never be too bad. He was too gentle to let those kind of fights get ugly.

"I will stop them... Moyra," he got quieter, and for a moment I thought he woukd just drop it, but then his eyes began to water just a bit. "These are the type of men who killed my parents.... worse, even. If I subjected you to that kind of violence and you ended up getting hurt or-" he stopped himself, the word dancing on the tip of his tongue scared him to much to say.

"Bruce.... you know what I'm capable of. And besides, how are we supposed to protect each other when one of us has to stay behind?" I grabbed his hand with mine, leaving them to rest on the arm of the chair while we continued to dance around the subject.

"This is me protecting you."

His words hit home. He was trying to keep me out of harms way but in doing so, was risking himself without any form of help I could possibly provide.

"When your father asked me to kill you, I should have refused the instant I was given the command... but I didn't. I put you in harm's way under my own hand." He reluctantly pulled his hand away from mine, somewhat ashamed just by the memory of the neck it wrapped around before everything happened. "I'll never do that again, and it'll haunt me forever that I even considered it in the first place."

I understood what he meant. Really my heart melted at the thought that he was truthfully trying to keep me safe. A part of me wanted to listen to him and stay behind, but another part of me got nervous and scared at the thought of letting him go about it alone, with no one to back him up if he needs it.

I simply chose to drop the matter for right now, knowing the night was too lovely to waste on squabbling over something that hadn't happened yet. I'd bring it up again, when I felt he was ready to discuss it. Until then, a subject change would be in order.

"Tomorrow's my birthday..." I reminded him, though he was well aware.

"I know, I got some things planned." He said with a smile, his watery eyes long since dried up now that a happier topic was introduced.

"I can't wait. For the longest time I've never really celebrated my birthday. The only thing I can think of...." I chuckled at the fond memory. Though my father may have been someone I considered an outsider to me now, I would never think badly of the times he'd been good to me. He really was a good father for the longest time... until Bruce came, and changed my life for the better.

"What?" His face mimicked mine, his lips turned up into a smile.

"The only thing me and my father ever did every year...." I recalled the last year he'd done it, right before things took a turn for the worst and he began to change. "He would go into the village the day before and pick out the best looking apple from the stands. Then that night we would stay awake till midnight, and he would light a candle for me while I ate the apple he brought me. After I was finished, I would make a wish and blow out the candle, but before I went to bed he always relit it so I could dream of my wish."

Bruce's heart melted. Such a simple tradition, and yet, so special. He dreamed of one day having a relationship like that with his offspring, if he ever had any. If he did it would be in the far off future.

"It looks to me like I have a tradition to uphold." He said, standing up and pulling me with him. I didn't ask what he meant, or where we were going. I simply followed, focused soley on the fact that his hand still gripped mine gently. Guiding me along the hallways of the large mansion. When we'd reached the kitchen, he sat me on a stool by the counter, before going over to the large refrigerator and rummaging through it. One of the cons of being a billionaire, you couldn't ever find anything in your own fridge.

Once he'd found what he was looking for, he emerged victorious, with a ripe apple in his hand, and a smile on his lips.

He set it on the counter in front of me, and walked over to grab a candle from the shelf, along with the matches that laid in a neat tray beside it.

He set the candle down and lit a few matches, all of them burning out before he was able to set flame to the candle. I chuckled a bit, picking up the apple to take a bite before he stopped me.

"Not yet. Gonna do this right." He said, convincing determination written in his features as he lit the last match. He moved it to the candle as slow as he possibly could, finally getting the wick to catch fire.

"Well done." I mocked, clapping my hands with a distinguished look upon my face.

"Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week." He took a bow while coming around the counter to take a seat next to me.

"I hope you be here longer than that." I joked, taking the first bite of my apple.

Since the apple was small, and Bruce kept me entertained, I finished it quickly before tossing the core into a garbage bin in the corner of the room.

I turned to the candle, the flame flickering around provided the tiniest amount of warmth to my face as I leaned forward. I closed my eyes, conjuring up a wish in my head.

'I wish that things could stay like this always.'

And soon the candle went out with the small huff of my breath.

"What did you wish for?" Bruce's voice brought me back to the moment, and I turned to see him leaning towards me.

"Oh Bruce, you know the wishing rules. I can't tell you." I shrugged, standing off my stool and waiting for Bruce to do the same.

"Right. Sorry." He rolled his eyes, continuing to grab the candle and extra matches from the counter and struggle to carry them all while walking to the exit of the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

He looked down at his full hands and furrowed his brows.

"Taking it back to your room... gotta make sure you dream of your wish." He smiled, and I did the same, following him back to my room since I still didn't know the way from this area of the house. My sense of direction was usually the best around... but when it came to billionaire mansions? Well that was a bit outside of my expertise.

Reaching my room, he hurried to the bedside table, setting down the candle and kneeling beside it to set it on fire. I climbed into the bed, waiting for him to finish.

"There..." he stood up and shook out the lit match to put it out. After disposing of it, he turned back to me, ready to bid me goodnight. "Happy birthday, Moyra."

I pulled his hand so he would sit down, placing the smallest kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Bruce... for everything. You've done so much for me."

"And I'll do more. Whatever you need, anytime." He promised, leaning into me with a smile.

"There is one more thing...."

"And that is?"

I heaved a sigh and shook my head, trying to rid my head of the thought, but it had already become too prominent.

"Stay with me during the storm? Like old times?" I suggested, awaiting a response while I heard the soft trickling of rain on the window screen.

"Of course..." He smiled, climbing into bed and settling down with me, both of us keeping each other warm while the wind blew around outside.

It took Bruce a few minutes to realize the reason he wasn't able to sleep earlier in the stormy night, but having reached a place of drifting off, he knew exactly what, or rather who was the one responsible for his peaceful state of rest.

Tags are open!!

@testudies @stardustednerd @huntheimpossible

#bruce wayne imagine #bruce wayne x reader #bruce wayne #bale!bruce wayne x reader #bale!batman #bale!bruce wayne #christian bale #bale!batman x reader #batman x batmom #batmom #batman x reader #batman begins

[mish-tique]

I need angst. So, what do you think would happen if Max and Lewis would haven been a cute couple but they split after something dramatic happened, causing Lewis to become a police officer and Max a highly wanted criminal (maybe serial killer or gang/mafia leader) and them meeting again years later when Max got caught and stands in front of a judge?

CW: mention of death, drug selling, murder, violence

Max and Lewis are that couple during high school - not perfect but in love in such a way that most people are jealous. Childhood sweethearts if you will, even though they have a lot of differences. (Please I have an agenda that if they would've been friends from young age they either would've gone like a mess or pretty good)

It goes on until university - maybe they both go to something forensic related? Imagine that during that university they get into contact with a lot of people, both good and bad. They go to parties and stuff gets done and maybe at one point Max got too deep into the drug world. Not because he takes them but because he sells them; easy money okay? And he'd take anything that would help him build that future he wants with Lewis.

One night it goes wrong and someone dies during a sale since they planned to rob Max - Lewis finds the scene after Max callls him crying in shock. But the sight that greets Lewis horrifies him, Max all bloody next to a dead body and while Max explains Lewis kind of doubts it, which isn't that strange because he's sure of what he saw.

After that it's not the same. Lewis doesn't want Max into the whole drug cirquit anymore but Max doesn't just want to stop. He finally made a name out of himself, he can't just wipe it all out.

Their parting is hard, cold and painfull. All those years in love don't seem like they're worth anything when one of them seems like a murderer, no matter how much they try.

So Max says fuck it and throws himself even deeper into the drugs world, completely stops uni and disappears of the grid. Lewis goes extreme in a different way; just throws himself into his studies and graduates on top of his year.

They don't see or hear from each other for years, until Lewis gets put on a case that's a top priority one and the more he reads into it the more things make sense and seem to scream "max!".

It starts a game of cat and mouse with Max escaping time after time which leaves Lewis annoyed as fuck, but both of them get confirmed who they are chasing/who they are being chased by.

They don't talk face to face until Lewis arrests Max.

"Didn't think this would be our reunion," Max spits.

Lewis: "I didn't think we were going to have a reunion at all."

(one second.)

"Why did you do it this way?"

Max huffs, "You thought I was a murderer, no matter how much I showed I wasn't so I became it."

"I tried to believe you, really," Lewis says, no regret in his voice but there is something, "really, I tried."

This time Max sighs, anger deflating out of him. "I know. I know you did but apparently your brain couldn't believe your heart."

Edit: this was meant to be cued but my dumb ass is blind and cannot differentate post from cue.

#4433 #cued #tw violence #tw dr*gs #tw murder #tw death

[hotchley]

i saw your reblog of the Spencer giving Aaron a father's day card thing and i can't stop thinking about how Aaron is the father figure to the entire team now.

(yes I'm also especially thinking about that one scene of Spencer and Derek stuck in the malfunctioning lift shrieking for Aaron just because. 🥴 dad!Hotch ftw!!!!!)

i know this concept has probably been done hundreds of times already but imagine: (SORRY THIS IS GOING TO BE A REALLY LONG ASK, I deeply apologise in advance)

[tw food/eating habits, some references to murder cases because you know this is Criminal Minds, some slight spoilers for people who haven't really watched the show and also reference & mention of autism & a character on the autism spectrum -> just a heads up, a disclaimer, I'm in no way diagnosed with autism, so if i have misrepresented autism, or made any mistakes, i apologise, it wasn't my intention, and i welcome all feedback & criticism — i genuinely want to learn]

a year after Spencer joins the BAU, Aaron notices & becomes very concerned over Spencer's (super bad) eating habits aka him only drinking coffee and forgetting to eat actual proper food when he gets absorbed in cases or research or reading etc -> which results in Aaron absolutely being like "hey Spencer let's grab lunch together" almost everyday just so Spencer eats (healthy, full meals)

(also Spencer picking up on this after Aaron "casually" gets him lunch/treats him to dinner/invites him over for meals for almost every day of the week and he was initially almost irritated/offended until he realised he could use Aaron's habit to make Aaron himself eat properly too because this hypocritical bastard doesn't eat properly himself either so every alternate day you can see Spencer purposely not going for lunch breaks while sneaking glances at Aaron's office just waiting for him to notice and drag them both to lunch together 😌)

also I really think Spencer is on the autistic spectrum (high functioning, imo, but I'm not really sure how this works, and I'd have to do more research) so I'd like to imagine Aaron knows that too because he's noticed Spencer's behaviors + Spencer got an official diagnosis and told him about it maybe 6-7 months into joining the BAU so I really think Aaron lets Spencer stim (physically, his hand gestures) on their lunch break because he knows that Spencer can't really do that in front of the others, so even when they're on cases, he would take Spencer out either for a private lunch or dinner or something, just the two of them, and he'd let Spencer stim & talk about any subject of his fancy as much as he wants to (I'm pretty sure someone wrote a fic like this and I absolutely can't remember the name or the author but I really LOVED the idea too)

initially Spencer was really taken aback too, because you know, this isn't something you do with your boss, of all people, but Hotch had always meant what he says and his facial expression and body language suggested that he was being absolutely sincere and serious about this, so Spencer tentatively started talking, and as their meal progressed, he eventually got comfortable enough to just go on, and not once did Aaron cut him off rudely, until the end of their meal, when Aaron couldn't continue to pretend to drink his soup because he'd finished it somehow with those incredibly small spoonfuls, and he'd had to gently tell Spencer that they had to go back, but Spencer wasn't upset, because he'd just got over an hour to talk about this recent seminar about the connection of ancient Greek mythology to the developments of the society in ancient Greece which no one had ever done for him before and he's full, satisfied and beyond elated because Hotch really didn't have to do this, but he did anyways

at first it was just something between them but eventually Derek noticed & like in the end I think it's a kind of open secret between Aaron, Spencer & Derek and now when Derek notices Aaron doing it he gives Aaron a small nod and he wards off & deals with the questions that the others have when they inevitably notices the private meals Aaron & Spencer has

speaking of Derek, Aaron definitely has 1 on 1 time with Derek too, but doing different things. Derek's thing is sports & home renovations, and he repairs/maintains cars & bikes when he can, and I like to imagine Aaron knowing about his hobbies and casually asking Derek about the home renovation he's working on one time (before or early S1) Derek came into his office to submit a case file, and Derek being kind of shocked/caught by surprised initially (because he knows Hotch has a soft spot for the kid because he's much younger and much, much more inexperienced but Derek's older and should know better, so Hotch won't do the whole private lunch thing with him, right?) but then he grins and starts telling Aaron about how "I got that place absolutely shining right now, man" and then he invites Aaron over to take a look at the place out of courtesy/habit (his mama raised him as a good, polite young man, and no way Hotch would even say yes right?) and to his surprise once again, Aaron does accept his invitation

after that one time, Aaron begins casually asking him about his projects and even starts offering to help him do some of the painting and decorating (to be fair, it calms Aaron too, to have a getaway from Haley and initially from the crying baby, because while he absolutely loved Haley and Jack with all his heart, some days, some days he just couldn't take it, all the stress from Strauss and from trying to be a good father unlike his own, and he had to take some time off to himself, and painting walls is calming and therapeutic to him in some sense) & Derek and Aaron start bonding over hotdogs while sitting out on the front porch of some halfway remodelled house, talking about the latest sports news (they support different baseball teams but that's okay, because Derek gets to grin at Hotch and ask him to pay up when Hotch's team loses to his, and Aaron gets to raise his eyebrows with that small knowing smirk of his and ask Derek to "complete this by the next weekend, will you" when Derek's team loses to his)

when Aaron recruits Penelope, he's read her file, or what little the FBI's cyberteam got on her anyways. he knows the Black Queen's reputation, and he knows that the cyberteam really don't trust her and recommended high levels of surveillance, but the moment he saw her through the glass of the interrogation room and her resume & application on pink paper, he knew that she's not just what the file said she is. initially, she sticks to the "bureau regulated office attire" because you know, Penelope knows she's lucky, she should've been jailed for what she did, she was jailed, until this Aaron Hotchner guy decided, somehow, that she was deserving to be on his team, even after looking at her resume, which she had written on pink paper out of pure spite (because nothing in the FBI rulebooks said anything about submitting your application on specialized coloured paper anyways) but she was moody and unhappy because she's stuck in this tiny office having to answer the phone whenever agents called to ask for details on icky, gruesome murders and disgusting, vile murderers so she decides that hey, since no one ever comes in here anyways, she might as well do some re-decorating right? so she starts bringing in her own soft toys and figurines and starts amassing a whole collection of soft, plushy, and colourful toys in because it's her office and if she has to deal with all these yucky stuff on a daily basis she's going to make it at least bearable to be in here

one day, some tall, stern looking guy just comes into her office with this Tupperware in his hands saying "hey, Garcia right? my wife made some extra cupcakes for the team, you want some?" and she asks "do i know you?" and he blinks, stands there for one, two seconds before- "sorry, i forgot we haven't actually met. Special Supervisory Agent Aaron Hotchner, assistant unit chief of BAU Team 1, nice to meet you," [i like to headcannon that before Boston & all, Hotch was Gideon's assistant, some kind of assistant unit chief probably, but while he wasn't yet the unit chief he was definitely taking care of most, if not all of the administration matters i.e. hiring new agents etc already because let's be real Gideon is caring & capable but really hands off sometimes (also in S1E1 Derek referred to Gideon as their Unit Chief so I assumed Hotch took over the position full time, officially somewhere between S1E1 and S1E2 or 3)]

and then Garcia's brain kind of short-circuits because holy shit this is her BOSS, aka the guy who somehow, crazily looked at her resume and decided to HIRE her and she just asked him if she knew him OH GOD ALL THOSE FIGURINES- and she tries to explain because she really didn't mean to break any rules with them and they aren't, are they? and she can remove them but just, please, she can't go back to prison.

but then Agent Hotchner just goes "hey, hey, Penelope. it's fine. I understand. this is your office, and you have the right to decorate it. I'm not going to fire you over.... My Little Ponies? and uh, some unicorns?" and Penelope can't help but laugh because he genuinely looks baffled by her collection on her desk, and did he just call her Penelope?

and after that, once, after a bad case that Aaron knew affected Penelope (it involved murdered parents & their only child left orphaned and it just hit too close to home for Penelope), he stopped by a local toy shop and bought the brightest, most sparkly, most colourful thing he could find in there (it ended up being a small figurine of a princess on a small, detachable throne that could light up and play some really funky pop music. Aaron cringed internally as he brought it over to the counter, and awkwardly nodded as the cashier asked, "buying this for your daughter, sir? she's going to love it, it's the latest in a collectable series" and he pretended to not see the questioning eyebrow that Derek gave him after seeing the package) and when he presented it to Penelope when they got back, he got the biggest and most bone crushing hug ever from Penelope because "aw that's so sweet, thank you! and you got me the latest in the collection! it's limited edition!" and it just ended up becoming a tradition — Penelope always looks forward to the end of a case now, not only because that means her people are coming home, safe, in one piece (sometimes debatable but still, they're coming home, to her) but it also means that Hotch has brought her yet another tiny figurine or souvenir to add to her collection and she can't wait to see what it is, and Hotch always, always, finds the time after they've wrapped up the case, before the jet leaves, to pop by a local toy shop to get both Penelope and later, when he's older, Jack some toys or souvenir from wherever state he's in, because he wants both of them to know, that despite all the bad out there, there is still good in the world, and they should never forget that

OKAY this ask is SUPER LONG already i apologise skfjsk i have ideas for JJ & Emily but idk if you'd even wanna continue reading them... (maybe.... give me a sign and I'll send another ask and write it? 🥴)

anyways this was just something that came up and i had to write it out 🥺 sorry for spamming you, i hope you're having a great day/night ahead.

- 🌙

Hi so I'm putting everything below the cut for scrolling purposes x

He is!!

Oh my god, I love that scene. It came up in a TikTok about ships, because Person A and Person B are both very smart when they're alone, but put them together and it cancels out, and it made me laugh.

I also love Dad Hotch. Like I love him as much as I love "fighting to keep his emotions in check because he needs to be a leader, but you can tell from the slight change in tone, or the slight glaze of his eyes that he's seconds away from crying" Hotch. Which is saying something.

DON'T APOLOGISE FOR LONG ASKS!! That's what the keep reading on posts is for :))

Oh I love how much Hotch cares about Reid, and of course Reid uses it to his advantage to get Hotch to do the same, because they're similar in that way. Also, he would definitely start grinning when Hotch looks down at his empty plate like: oh. Platonic Hotchreid is everything to me, because it's these two people that have been caretakers their entire life trying to look after another person that wouldn't let anyone do that and it's just... the HOTCH ANGST POTENTIAL THAT IS SO UNTAPPED!!!

Also, not a criticism of you, but from what I've heard from people is that functioning labels are harmful and shouldn't be used because it misrepresents the situation!

I love that idea though!! And Derek being protective over them so he's just like: no, you won't interrupt them, and I will take control of the situation for a few hours AAH!!

OH I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT MORGAN AND HOTCH BONDING!! It's so perfect!! I love the idea of Morgan teaching Hotch to do things, and Hotch realising how relaxing he finds it to do these things.

And because we can't have nice things: he refuses to go after Foyet breaks into his apartment because he doesn't deserve peace, but then Morgan just uses his key, drags him out, takes him to a house and presses a brush into his hand because he's not going to let his friend self destruct like this.

EVERYTHING ABOUT GARCIA!! OH MY GOD!! I need to get some work done, so I'm going to finish up there, but seriously!! Amazing!! I love the idea of Hotch getting her little figurines and stuff <33

(shameless self promo, she does the same for him in "and he will come back home" hehe)

I would love to hear the Emily and JJ ones!! I hope that's the sign you need :)

Don't apologise for spamming I was having a dull day, and I hope you have a good day too!

#🌙anon #people talk to me #tw food #tw eating habits

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

The Best Things ~ J.V. (Part 5)

A/n: I... really like this series. I hope you guys do too. It's gonna be a tad different from the show, but I also have like a lot of things I find quite clever about it so I'm just super excited lol. Hope you guys like it as much as I do.

Word Count: 5100+

Playlist

MASTERLIST

Jerome's hand tightened as he gripped Y/n's side. His arm was draped around the other boy's, both of them asleep. The movement woke Y/n though and he looked over, confused until he saw the look of soft distress on the redhead's face. It was an odd expression for someone who was asleep. There was a strain, but it battled for place on features that obviously wanted to relax and rest.

Y/n frowned before reaching up and stroking Jerome's face. This was an extremely rare sign of softness or affection. With Jerome it was destruction and sex. Being stuck in a prison for the criminally insane didn't allow for dates, but Y/n got the feeling that Jerome wasn't much of a candle light dinner kind of dude. He didn't mind. There was a time and a place for romance, and this was not the place but it did seem that this was the time. "Jerome?" His hand moved to the redhead's shoulder and he shook gently.

There was a soft jerk and a little squeak as Jerome's eyes slammed open like someone ramming open a door. His body began to shake a little and Y/n immediately became intensely concerned. He sat up, leaning over Jerome and looking to see if he was hurt or something had happened to him. He seemed fine... but he obviously wasn't. "J? What's wrong?"

It was at that moment that Jerome finally took a breath in and Y/n realized he hadn't been breathing since he'd open his eyes. That was only a few seconds, but still. Y/n stroked his face and neck very softly, leaving a little kiss on his shoulder. Jerome took deep breaths, his body shaking a little. He didn't speak. He didn't move. It was as if he was trying to pretend he wasn't awake or that this wasn't happening. It was incredibly out of character for him and it made Y/n feel very scared for him. The boy just kept touching Jerome and saying his name softly and leaving little kisses here and there. Neither boy spoke for a very long time.

Finally Jerome calmed. "Did I wake you up?" He asked very quietly. He was continuing to make the choice to be still, and between the complete lack of dramatics and the chilling softness of his voice, Y/n felt like they were hiding from something very dangerous. It felt for a second like they were in some horror movie. Y/n could almost hear the soundtrack. It was unnerving.

"No," he lied. "I have a habit of waking up at random times at night. I don't usually sleep solidly." Which was a partial truth. Ever since his parents had died he hadn't gotten many nights of solid sleep. He hadn't had much of a problem with it since being with Oswald though, and it had lessened even more when Jerome and him had started sharing a bed. The redhead was warm and comfortable- there wasn't much room for anxiety.

That didn't seem to be the case for Jerome.

Jerome sat up. "It seems I fell asleep in the wrong bed." He looked at Y/n and giggled, but the sound was choked and weak. Y/n offered a small smile because Jerome seemed to want it. He had been right- Jerome immediately relaxed. The older boy leaned over and planted a sloppy kiss on Y/n's cheek before standing and moving sluggishly to his bed. Or, sluggish for him I suppose. He was still putting up a solid effort to seem normal.

Once both boys were in bed, it got quiet again. It seemed both of them were waiting for the other to fall asleep. Y/n fell asleep first. Hearing the younger boy's even breathing was incredibly soothing to Jerome, who closed his eyes. He pushed away the far too vivid images of a trailer and a twisted expression red with rage. He tried to push away the memories that had translated into a nightmare. One he should have been used to having, but could never seem to adjust to.

Y/n helped. It was like he drained all of Jerome's pretenses. They could just be themselves around each other, unapologetically. Jerome was never sorry for being himself, but it was definitely refreshing to have someone feel the same way. Y/n wasn't bothered by the way he did things or the things he said or anything. Jerome could relax. He could let down his barriers, just a little. Which meant he felt less of a need to put on a show and instead just had fun with it, but it also meant that the things he blocked out of his mind came crawling back, begging for attention after a lifetime of hiding them away from even his own mind.

Maybe Y/n was bad for Jerome. He'd been fine before. Now he was damn near happy, but he was also suffering from nightmares again-something he hadn't had since he had finally gotten rid of his bitch of a mother. Maybe Jerome should stop with the whole Y/n thing. Get someone easier. Someone like those fun people from that cult of his. Those who held high expectations and were thrilled every time he met them. Who expected bigger and better each time and were never disappointed...

And yet, the thought of Jerome not having Y/n in his life anymore made Jerome feel terrible. No one was as fun as Y/n. As adaptable. Y/n had a softness to his insanity that was very... alluring. He had never woken up to someone comforting him before. He'd never had great sex and then gone to bed with an even better cuddling partner. He'd never had someone who fit everything he wanted and needed. Someone to do anything and everything with. They could kill. They could have sex. They could just sleep. They could make jokes and flip off all of Gotham. They could do anything. It was amazing. Y/n was special. Jerome didn't want anyone else...

Fuck! What was HAPPENING to him?

His arm felt right around Y/n's shoulder. It had become their usual position. Whether Jerome was walking or sitting or laying down. Whether Y/n was next to him or being pulled around by him or being whiny or willing or horny or sleepy or whether the boy was sitting down or tucking into Jerome's side, half asleep and mumbling quietly because he was ranting about something or another. Whether the two boys were talking or silent - they were always connected by that arm.

Jerome tried to do it with someone else. He lounged his arm across one of the other inmates, dramatically monologuing about a vision of the future he had. His other hand moved through the air, fingers spread, as he painted a picture that he wanted the other person to see. It didn't quite fit though. The shoulders were too broad, and Jerome was too tall. Most people brushed his arm off of them, or kept their distance from him in general. Y/n was the only one who liked being by him. The only one who sought out his touch, and missed him when he was gone.

It was becoming a problem. Jerome could always fill a single space with many different possible candidates. That way if one left: no problem. Next person please. Jerome could not, for the life of him, fill Y/n's spot with anyone else.

The problem was that he'd never had a person that took this role in his life before. He'd never had a steady sexual partner or someone who really cared about him. He'd never had someone gentle and sincere who also fulfilled his sexual needs. He'd never had someone who was both sexy and loving. Someone who knew him and didn't mind what they saw. Jerome hadn't put Y/n into a role- the boy had entered into Jerome's life and made his own damn place. Carved an Y/n shaped place just for him to lounge in. Jerome had never seen anyone like him before- how would he find a second someone?

Long story short: he wouldn't.

Eventually he stopped trying. Y/n really was special. Everyone had that one person. The best friend or the boyfriend or the sibling. He'd thought he had Jeremiah but that had quickly been cleared up. If everyone else was allowed to have that special person, so could Jerome.

It was nifty too. Y/n was down to do anything for him.

Anytime he was horny, he didn't have to hide it or go hunting for someone who was down. He could just kiss Y/n and pull him close and he was satisfied every time.

When he was bored, Y/n kept him entertained with people and places that didn't exist. Y/n was very interesting- past just how much he enjoyed Jerome's twisted mind. He also had ideas for little stories he had created a long time ago and characters in those stories that he had drawn. Jerome wanted to see Y/n draw. He wanted to see Y/n draw him. That would be cool.

If Jerome was feeling needy or upset, Y/n was there to comfort him. Jerome didn't even have to say something. He could just lay his head in Y/n's lap and the other boy would play with his hair. He could lounge across Y/n and Y/n would rub his back. Jerome could put his arm around Y/n's shoulder and he would immediately lay his head on Jerome's shoulder or pay attention to the redhead. Y/n was always listening and paying attention, intently, like every word that Jerome ever said was the most interesting thing anyone could ever say.

If Jerome wanted a change, Y/n would cut or style his hair or switch up the conversation or the way they had fallen into sex since the last time Jerome had gotten bored. Y/n seemed to be learning Jerome's very small cues for different things, to the point that Jerome didn't even have say anything for Y/n to respond appropriately and begin fulfilling whatever thing had been bothering Jerome just a second before.

Jerome tested it time and time again, but Y/n never failed to take up the unspoken task and solve the problem with efficiency. Even if it wasn't really a problem, like Y/n's elbow was pressed into Jerome's side. It wasn't painful, just a little uncomfortable. Jerome shifted; Y/n immediately moved his arm into a different position until Jerome stopped being bothered by it. Even if he ended in the same position. Somehow Y/n just seemed to know exactly what the problem was, and then it was gone.

"Why do you do that?" Jerome asked one day.

Y/n had talked one of the guards into getting him books, for good behavior. He was reading it now. He had been reading it alone before, but then Jerome had sat next to him and began to lay down. Before he had even moved more than an inch, Y/n was moving the book out of the way and shifting his legs to where Jerome preferred them. Now the younger boy looked up from his book, as if he hadn't really noticed Jerome at all. "What do you mean?"

Jerome frowned. He didn't know how to word it. "Fix everything." He tilted his head like a child looking at something odd. Jerome often did very childish body movements. His emotional expression was very young-looking... unless he was having sex or murdering someone, but that wasn't the point. "You know when something is bothering me, and then you kind of just... it stops bothering me."

Y/n smiled. "I don't know. I don't really think about it or mean to. It's subconscious." That was a big word. Jerome's eyebrows pushed together and his lips parted to ask a question Y/n was answering before Jerome could get it out. "Kind of like muscle memory. Magicians can do magic tricks without thinking. A painting style becomes habit, and the hand follows the learned path without having to even think about it. Or how people walk and they just do it without real, purposeful thought. The second you start thinking about it, you trip. Like breathing. It just happens. Your body reacts.” He shrugged.

Jerome was still frowning. "And how do you always know what I'm going to say or what I want? Like you can read my mind?"

Y/n giggled. Jerome felt his body relax. That sound. GOD that sound. "I cannot read your mind. I can, however, read your body language. I've always been very good at it actually. I learned from a young age, because a lot of people only wanted to be friends with me because I was rich or famous, or because they wanted some gossip or news about the Wayne son who everyone was deeming a failure from the very first time Bruce was talking. People have always been very easy for me to understand... for the most part. Mostly men. Women get a little tricky, which is probably why I'm gay." He sorted. "I don't like people who are hard to read. Makes em hard to trust."

"And I'm easy to read?"

"The easiest I've ever met, actually. You make your intentions clear, and everything you do means something. You don't hold back or beat around the bush- you express every little thing that bugs you. It's very easy to understand what is bothering you. Like when you didn't know what subconscious meant. Your frown got a little deeper and you turned your head just a little. I figured you didn't know what it meant, because there's really no other reason to be so confused by that word."

Interesting. "Do you do this for everyone?"

Y/n was quiet for a while. It made Jerome a little nervous, which didn't make sense. Jerome was never nervous. Jerome was also absolutely never this curious about anyone. He didn't ever care this much. Why did he feel this way for Y/n? Why did he... care for the other boy? Why did he care at all, when he lived a life where he ruled the world by not caring, especially for other people? "No." Y/n answered the question Jerome had forgotten he'd asked, knocking the redhead out of his thoughts. "You’re special."

Jerome looked away. He didn't say anything to that.

After a while, Y/n returned to his book and with his time back to himself, Jerome let his lips turn into a small smile.

He was Y/n's special person too.

-

Gonna be real with you: Y/n and Jerome were getting far too comfortable being gay in public.

It was less of a problem being in Arkham, where there were few people that weren't either afraid of or loyal in some way to Jerome. The redhead had used every free moment to win the favor of person after person, and now he practically ran the place. This was his turf. It didn't stop brave people from sometimes stepping up, or saying something, or guards being nasty every once in a while. No one would touch Jerome, but the same could not be said about Y/n, especially when Jerome wasn't around.

The two boys had spent the day cuddled up, with Y/n leaning against the wall, Jerome perched between his legs and Jerome's back pressed to Y/n's chest. Y/n had rested his arms around Jerome's shoulders, his clasped hands on Jerome's chest. Jerome had his elbows propped up on Y/n's knees. He was talking to one of the other inmates, telling a story about how much he missed killing and creating havoc.

Leaning forward, Y/n pressed a quick kiss to Jerome's shoulder before shifting to stand. Jerome leaned off of him with a begrudging sigh, making Y/n chuckle. The Wayne boy stood, stretching out his limbs a little bit. He did this every once in a while, walking around the room and profiling people, or just looking at the blank wall and looking at the pattern of the dots and making little pictures with them as if they were stars in the sky lining up to make constellations. Halfway through his lap around the room, Jerome finally stopped checking on him and Y/n was oblivious, completely relaxed. At least until a hand grabbed his shoulder, ripping him out of the room and into the hallway. He gasped, suddenly thrown into a situation that had totally taken him off guard, which didn't allow him to speak before there was a strong hand gripping his shoulder and a gun barrel pointed at his face.

"Quiet now," said the person in front of him. Y/n swallowed. At first he wasn't too scared, since it was a guard in front of him, but then he saw the look in the man's eyes. A look he had seen before. A look he knew belonged to those who hated people like him. Men who liked men; women who liked women. The man tugged Y/n forward before sliding behind him, now guiding him with a push instead of having to walk backwards. The gun rested threateningly against the back of his head. Y/n closed his eyes. How ironic was it that after all this time, it wasn't the criminally insane people locked up that were the bad guys- it was the people who were supposed to be in charge of them? One of the "sane", "good" people who were part of the community and trusted by everyone. The law keepers.

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" Y/n asked quietly, more to himself than to be heard.

The guard shoved him into a side room. The pair had passed several other guards, but none had even looked over despite the obvious sign of danger Y/n was in. Once again, the law had failed Y/n. Every second that passed was yet another second that Y/n hated human beings and this cursed city more and more. The world in general. Why did people like this deserve to live? Long story short: they didn't.

Once they were alone, the door closed, the guard smiled. "You and that psycho waltz around this place like you own it. You got a cell together and pretend we can't hear you both fucking like rabbits." The guard made a look of complete disgust.

Y/n sighed. "You call him a psycho, but he's not the one with a gun pointed to another person who's done nothing wrong to him."

"This is a jail," the guard spat. "And you're insane. He's a murderer, and you're with him like it's not wrong. It would be bad enough for a chick to be with that maniac, but you? Don't you have any respect for yourself? For your family?"

Y/n's expression turned dark. "My parents know I'm gay. They don't care."

Something hard smacked against the side of Y/n's face, and he was immediately dizzy and on the ground. "They KNEW," the guard seethed. "They're dead now, aren't they?" He snorted. "I bet they hired someone to kill them. They must have been so ashamed of you. And they're lucky too. Poor parents having to watch their son be locked up in a place like this, and acting like you are now with a person like that."

Y/n spit blood and then grinned, giggling softly. "Now are you mad that I'm fucking a murder, or are you mad that I'm fucking a man?" A foot planted in Y/n's gut, causing the boy on the ground to grunt. The guard went to speak, but Y/n forced himself to suck in a breath and continued instead. "Do you feel justified in beating me up because I'm gay?" He asked weakly. "You're a grown man- I'm a teenager. You're taller and stronger and more experienced than me. You even have your gun out. Are you so scared of me that you can't just face me hand to hand at the very least? You think that I'm gonna take you down?" Y/n looked up, still grinning even as his body began to ache. This he had gotten directly from Jerome. Enjoying the pain. Reveling in the look of fear and disgust on the guard's face. The way it made the older man so nervous to look at the face of such a young boy covered in blood as he lay curled up on the ground, but remained smiling nevertheless. "Big bad man is gonna put an end to the homos one prick at a time, huh?"

The guard kneeled down, gripping the front of Y/n's shirt and bringing their faces close together. "Shut. Up."

"Or what?" Y/n pressed. The guard was shaking now. "You're gonna kill me?" Y/n busted up laughing, spraying a little bit of blood onto the guard's face. The man shoved Y/n away, groaning as he stood, wiping off the red liquid hurriedly. "You should," Y/n finalized. "Jerome is going to destroy you if he ever finds out this happened. Maybe not while we're in here. But ater, when we get out. Because we will get out one day. One day you're gonna think you're finally safe, and that's when we'll come for you."

The guard looked genuinely afraid for a second. Then he was kneeling down again, pinning Y/n by sitting on top of him. Y/n immediately felt crushed. He couldn't breathe or move, and it filled him with fear. That pure terror that Y/n was becoming a little too familiar with. Maybe he was a little crazier than he'd thought. Maybe it wasn't just Jerome's influence anymore. Because, when he felt that fear, Y/n smiled even wider. It excited him. It riled him up. He saw the guard pull his fist back and he closed his eyes, ready for the impact before the man had even drawn his fist forward to make contact with Y/n's nose.

The first hit finally came. Then the second. The third. It went on for a while before Y/n's smile fell off and he groaned. The whole world was spinning and he blinked, trying to orient himself. The guard finally stopped, standing, only to continue again with kicking instead. Each blow hit a different part of Y/n's body. Chest. Stomach. Arm. The guard stomped on Y/n's hand and the young boy screamed as his hand light on fire with agony.

In the distance, the door opened. "Stop!" Someone yelled. "That's enough! You're going to kill him."

"So what?"

Someone slapped someone else. "Listen to yourself! He's not even a real criminal. He's a boy and he's in here because he got caught up with the real bad guy. Even if he is guilty for something terrible like they're thinking, or he's capable of doing something terrible, you're just as bad as he is for acting like this."

"You didn't do much to stop me before."

A pause. "Fuck off, Jameson. I have to make sure he doesn't die now." Another pause. "GET OUT! Someone's coming to visit him later and he needs to not be dead." There was a sudden drop in the air. Ah yes, fear. They were feeling it now. Fear of getting caught. Fear of paying for the shitty things THEY did. Fear of losing respect or their job at the very least. Fear of the repercussions of the Waynes coming after him for hurting one of their own.

If Y/n could be considered that anymore.

Footsteps. The guard left. Y/n finally opened his eyes and then immediately groaned and closed them again. Someone kneeled down, reaching out to touch him gently. He flinched away. "I know, but you're safe now. Well-" A sigh. "As safe as you can be. I'm going to help you a bit here, okay?" Y/n groaned. The person sighed again. "Take your time, until you can sit up. I need to make sure nothing's broken.

"Why?" Y/n demanded. It was a little muffled. A little slurred. His jaw hurt, especially when he tried to talk.

The other person seemed to consider that for a moment. "I can't stop guards from being assholes, but I can stop them from being murderers. I at least have that authority here. Couldn't stop it from happening, but I could help with the aftermath."

Y/n scoffed, causing him to have a headache. "What so now you're a good person?" He finally opened his eyes to see a woman. The world had stopped spinning and she frowned down at him, her head tilting. She looked sad. "Who are you?"

"I'm the therapist around here," she said with a heavy tone.

Y/n giggled then flinched. "What's your name, Doc?"

She smiled a little, weakly, lifted up a bit by Y/n's casual, light mood. "My name is Harleen Quinzel. You can call me Dr. Q if you want."

"Harleen," Y/n tried out. "Doc HQ." He gave short, soft chuckles and she smiled a little wider, taking the time to analyze his actions and state of being as best she could. He seemed fine for the most part, if a little cheery. His smile was very contagious. She liked it. "Do you have any fun nicknames?"

"How about you sit up really fast and then we can get to know each other, hm?" With her help, Y/n did sit up. She looked around before going into a cabinet, bringing back a first aid kit box. She opened it, taking out some things here and there. "Now I'm not great at this- I studied mental health, not physical. But I did learn a thing or two when I learned I was coming here. And then some more after I saw just how bad things are here." She pulled Y/n's arm into her lap as she began cleaning up the smeared blood here and there. "This might hurt a little bit, okay?" Y/n nodded. She moved to Y/n's face and he hissed, flinching away. "Don't move," she scolded.

Y/n sighed. "I hope you're not doing this because you want sex or something. I'm-"

"Gay," she finished, nodding. "No, it's nothing like that. You're the most decent person in here, though, and it's nice to see someone like me being so confident and chill."

Y/n started, his eyebrows coming together in confusion. "Like you?"

She smiled shyly. "I mean, I understand how you feel. I don't like men the same way you don't like woman." Y/n's eyes widened. She laughed at his expression. "What, you don't think you're the only person around here who's different from everyone else, huh?" He relaxed, smiling softly. "You can't tell anyone though, okay? I mean anyone. Not even that redhead friends of yours. I can't have anyone finding out. I could lose my job, or end up like you just now, and I can't take a hit as well as you can." She immediately frowned. "Not that I like the idea that you can take a hit. You've probably had to get used to that."

Y/n shrugged. "Not really. I'm just durable." She nodded then went quiet. Y/n suddenly had a lot of questions. "So, only girls?" She nodded, focusing on cleaning him up still. "Huh. Cool." He held his fist up and she paused before grinning and fist bumping it. "Solidarity."

And so a friendship was made.

She did her best to clean him up and then bandage some cuts and wrap his hand, which she determined was pretty messed up though not broken as Y/n was able to move his fingers. She also wrapped up an especially dark, tender spot on his arm to offer some buffer incase it came in contact with anything else, like a wall or Jerome. Then they both stood - slowly, as Y/n was immediately sick to his stomach as he got to his feet - and left the room. Harleen kept his arm around her shoulders and kept her eyes down as she passed other people. Y/n left his hand over his ribs, only allowing himself a few steps before pushing away from his new friend to show strength by walking on his own. As if reading his mind, she let him the second he moved away from her. The second they were around a corner with no guards in sight, Harleen was immediately there to make sure he was okay.

The pair ended up in a new section of the building Y/n hadn't seen before now. They went through a ton of check points, Y/n moving to stand on his own again as he limped next to Harleen. The pair were surrounded by guards as she got him through check mark after check mark until they ended up in a large room that had the same grey, bare walls as everywhere else, except that it was cut in half by a large slab of plastic. There were chair on either side of the glass, each lining up with little slabs that acted like a desk of sort, and a phone. It was the visiting room. Y/n had seen some rendition of it on TV before plenty of times.

He looked for the occupied booth that he was meant to be visited at. He didn't know who he was expecting, but when he saw Alfred he was surprised. Maybe he shouldn't have been shocked; it just seemed odd that it was Alfred, alone. It would have made more sense if it was Bruce, Alfred in the back to accompany him. That wouldn't have made much more sense though. Why would Bruce be visiting him? Why was Alfred?

Y/n finally picked up the phone as Alfred did. There was a moment of silence as Alfred took in Y/n's poor condition. He seemed torn between anger and worry. Despite everything, Alfred was still Y/n's caretaker before anything else. Even though there also seemed to be a little bit of relief in Alfred's gaze. Y/n wondered if it was because Y/n looked like Bruce that Alfred was worried. If it was that Y/n wasn't Bruce, even though he looked like him, that Alfred was relieved. "Hi," Y/n greeted shortly.

"Hello," Alfred said back. His voice was tight. He seemed awkward. "Master Bruce wanted to be here but-"

"He actually didn't?" Y/n interrupted.

Alfred's expression grew dark. "He was kidnapped."

Y/n paled. The calm and chaos he’d been holding onto and honing into mania suddenly shattered and he felt like the same kid who Alfred had to tell his parents had died. Like the last four years hadn’t happened at all. "What?"

#wayne reader #gotham #joker #cameron monaghan #valeska twins #jerome valeska #jerome x reader #jeroem valeska x reader #joker x reader #gotham x reader #gotham imagine #joker imagine #cameron monaghan x reader #cameron monaghan imagine #male reader #jerome velaska #valeska twins x reader #valeska twins imagine

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

The Best Things ~ J.V. (part 4)

A.n: Lol so things are about to get very Adult Themed up in here. Children do not read thank you. My consious demands it.

Warnings: Light smut, dark themes, mention of rape

Word Count: 4200+

MASTERLIST

Playlist

They shouldn't have been caught as soon as they were... and yet.

The second Jerome and Y/n had gotten outside the fun house, they'd been overrun by cops. The two had made it pretty far, but then someone had tackled Y/n from behind. The boy had been surprised when, from his spot on the ground, he heard Jerome's voice of all people scream his name. The redhead had paused, allowing another cop to take him down as well. Now they were being transported. Jerome, to Arkham, and Y/n just to regular jail. They hadn't determined him criminally insane yet, though it seemed to be going that direction as Y/n and Jerome spent the entire ride flirting with each other and cracking up at each other's jokes. They'd only quieted when each of the cops in the back with them held two guns to Y/n and Jerome respectively, threatening them. Jerome hadn't been that quiet or still for a while.

Y/n was the first to be escorted out of the back of the truck, arms handcuffed behind him. He was taken into GCPD offices, a smile on his face. One that promptly was wiped clean off when he was pushed inside and Jim Gordon stood waiting for him, Bruce and Alfred on either side of him.

Bruce moved first. He jogged to Y/n, a mixed expression on his face. The last time he'd seen Bruce, they'd been much different people. Y/n had left him behind to train with Penguin- no doubt Gordon had told him about the event, and surely he'd seen Y/n right at Oswald's side ever since. Until tonight, where Y/n had been found with Jerome- considered the worst of all the Gotham psychos.

Despite everything, Bruce seemed to be worried and relieved for the most part. The two boys stopped as they stood in front of each other. Bruce frowned, reaching up to touch his fingers to a wound on Y/n's forehead. It must have been from the tackle. Y/n hadn't noticed until now. "You're hurt." It wasn't a question so Y/n didn't respond back. Jim approached, motioning the officer that had Y/n to follow him. Y/n was pulled away and Bruce was left behind. Y/n ended up in an interrogation room, handcuffed and facing Bullock and Gordon. Y/n knew that Bruce was on the other side of the one sided glass, though, which meant that Alfred was too.

"Y/n," Gordon began. He seemed to pause, as if unsure how to continue.

So Y/n took his cue. "Why am I here? You have Jerome, so you can't be looking for information about him. If you want to determine my psyche and where I should end up, I mean I know I'm amazing but Jim Gordon and Commissioner Bullock? Here for little ol' me? I'm flattered, honestly." Both men looked at each other. It seems they didn't realize just how far lost Y/n was.

This tactic was new to Y/n, too. Oswald had taught him to be silent and unbreakable. Pleasant but unshakable. Like his dad used to be. Nice to talk to, leaving no option to backstab. It had been very different from how Y/n acted when he was just himself.

The cockiness and ease that Y/n exhibited now was a little mix of all the personas he'd most taken to or been taught over the years. There was the complete inhuman unaffectedness that had been taught to him by Angela, mixed with the ease that Oswald had taught him, the charisma he'd absorbed from Jerome in the short time they'd spent together, and his own energy he'd always been able to call on and struggled to hide. He felt like a new person again. A person he loved being.

"We're here because Bruce trusts us," Bullock said as the silence began to stretch. "You're in a safe place now, Y/n. You can talk to us. Tell us anything. Jerome is far away and can't hurt you. You can tell us what happened."

Oh. Y/n snorted. "You guys think Jerome kidnapped me and held me against my will or something?" Bullock cleared his throat. Y/n had always been told that he looked a lot like Bruce. He had differences, obviously, but as children people would try to get his attention thinking he was Bruce. Sometimes his mom would call him by his younger brother's name. Y/n realized it must be a little startling to see the actions he was displaying on a face so similar to his brother's, when Bruce was ever the staple good boy. Bruce would become a cop, if he didn't go into dad's business after all. Y/n would become... something else. It was becoming clearer as he grew older.

"What happened to you?" Jim asked. He was shaken, obviously upset and not quite able to grip the drastic difference in the Y/n he knew versus the boy in front of him.

Y/n rolled his head back, sighing. "A lot." He began bouncing a knee. "Do you want the whole life story?"

Jim crossed his arms. "I've got time."

Y/n chuckled softly. "I mean I have nothing to hide." He pushed his head forward, letting his eyes roam around the otherwise empty, bland room. He counted the cracks in the walls and memorized the paths they took as he spoke, keeping himself calm. This was a tactic he'd learned from therapy. "I mean I had a happy childhood. Parents have their favorites. Gotham had their favorite. Bruce was Mr. Perfect. But people liked me and I had parents who were supportive and loving or whatever, so there's that." He sighed again, closing his eyes. "Then they died. I got to take control of a company I wanted nothing to do with. And you know why?" Y/n opened his eyes, looking Jim directly in the eyes. "Because I was easy to manipulate. I was young and nieve and soft. Easy to bend and break and shape. It was easy to do whatever she wanted when it came from my mouth, because I was a Wayne."

"She?" Jim asked.

Y/n‘s jaw worked. "Angela. Angela Dyer." He swallowed, tasting bitterness in his mouth. "She was new to the business. Had worked there barely four years, which made her a newbie compared to the others who'd been working 20, 50, however some odd years. She was twenty years old. Not even old enough to drink. And she was pretty. Men aren't nice when they want something from a young, pretty girl. Especially in Gotham."

Jim shifted, obviously uncomfortable. "What does she have to do with you?"

"We were fast friends when I started being there. Close in age. Both new. The higher ups just wanted a Wayne present, but with her help I actually made a place for myself. Well-" he snorted. "A place for her. She moved up fast with my help. And all those men who used to walk all over her..." He shrugged. "I didn't ask questions about it."

Bullock's eyes widened."She killed them?"

"I think she just scared the shit out of them. Lots of threats, with me to back her up and hit the yes button when she needed. Manipulation. I think women are better at it than men, on average, but she was the best." His jaw locked and he took a few seconds to loosen it. "Pretty soon we were really close. Really close." He was looking at Bullock now. Training his gaze on the older man's. Drilling a message he didn't want to say. Bullock had gone inhumanly still. "She told me it was our little secret. That she just wanted to reward me after all our hard work."

"You were fourteen," He snapped, his hands curled into fists.

Y/n smiled. He actually smiled. "I didn't know what else to do. Boys don't have those problems. Or so I thought. She climbed the latter and taught me to keep my emotions bottled up. But I wasn't good at it. One day I yelled at her when she tried to... reward me that day." He swallowed. "I freaked out and asked her not to. She kissed me. Told me that she loved me and I loved her and it was okay because obviously I was enjoying it. Told me I couldn't be gay because-"

The room was heavy. "You're..."

"Yeah," Y/n croaked. "Only my parents knew. I haven't even told Alfred or Bruce, but I told her because I didn't want her to do it the first time. Or any other time. Tried to explain that I was gay and I didn't like it. She told me I couldn't be because my body was reacting to it, so obviously I was enjoying it." Y/n swallowed again. His mouth was getting dryer by the second. "One day I told her if she didn't stop I was going to tell someone. She told me that she loved me, like she always did. Except this time, she insisted that she needed me. That she couldn't handle just being friends with me. Told me she would kill herself if I broke up with her. As if we were dating-" His voice broke off, his eyes drilling holes into the wall.

Jim stepped forward. "She didn't-"

"She did." Y/n shook his head. "I thought it was my fault too for a long time, until finally Oswald convinced me otherwise." He shook his head. "I needed to get out of my childhood house. Away from Alfred and Bruce, who I couldn't even begin to explain to. Away from insanity and memories and near death experiences. So I went with Penguin, that night. He made me feel more powerful. More in control of my life. Helped me grow up and discover myself a little." Y/n grew quiet. "Did you know that the body has automatic responses to sexual actions that have nothing to do with pleasure? Me getting off had absolutely nothing to do with whether or not I wanted her to-" He cut off. "Edward Nygma told me that one." His voice was weak and broken. He shrugged. "So there's your sob story, Gordon. That's what happened to me. Now if you'll either send me to jail or let me return to Oswald, that would be appreciated. You see that mayor of yours is kind of my best friend and he's going through a hard time- why are you looking at me like that?"

Gordon and Bullock seemed to be sick to their stomachs. "Y/n..."

"What?" Y/n demanded.

"Oswald has been missing since yesterday. No one's seen him since the interview he ran out on." Y/n went pale. "We'll get on it, I promise, but he's missing." Jim went to step forward to bring some comfort to the handcuffed boy who had obviously been through a lot for it to have all happened in just one day, but Y/n jerked away.

"What are you going to do with me?" Y/n barked. "Jail or release? I need to get out there and do your guys' job for you, and if I have to break out it might take some time."

Jim's eyes widened. "Y/n-"

"Jail or release, Gordon? Tell me. NOW!"

It was quiet for a second. "We're sending you to Arkham." Y/n's jaw went slack. "You've spent all night with Jerome, and you're a close associate with Penguin, who's a known murderer."

"You don't have any proof that I-"

Bullock was suddenly very close to Y/n's face. "Look me in the face and tell me you have never killed a man. That killing wasn't part of your little escape from jail plan? That if we release you you won't turn around and go after whatever the cause of Penguin's disappearance and kill them too? Tell me that you don't agree with the way Jerome thinks and does things. I'll let you go."

Y/n felt rage. Rage like nothing else. Like he hadn't felt in a long time. Oswald has taught him how to control and hone that red feeling that had once seized him. Usually he could cultivate it into a weapon. Now... now it was freely causing havoc inside him again and he wanted to scream. "You wanna play friend but then keep me from helping the people I care about." Y/n spit in his face, causing the older man to jerk away, wiping it off. "Fuck you, Bullock."

Bullock looked at Gordon. "He didn't say it."

Jim nodded his head. "I can't believe you tried to escape and attack Commissioner Gordon right in front of me, Y/n."

"What-?" And then Jim punched him in the face and everything went black.

When Y/n woke up, he was in a different room. Similar but obviously not the same. He sat up and looked down to see that he was in a prison jumpsuit, but it was black and white striped instead of orange. Fittingly, the room he was in was grey cement and bare, with a bed that he now lay on, another across from him, a small window slightly above him, and steel, black bars instead of a door. Was this Arkham? It wasn't as bad as Y/n had thought- at least as far as living conditions went. There didn't seem to be rats or bugs or leaking. He could get used to this.

The door opened. "Ah and how lucky for you to be awake just in time for lunch." It was an officer that Y/n didn't recognize. The man was much older and seemed to be annoyed even as he smiled. "You've been out for a whole day. Didn't think you were gonna make it." Y/n got the sense the guard was disappointed he had.

Standing silently, Y/n followed as the guard motioned him. He was unsure of how this place worked, so he moved tentatively. Calm but ready. Standing to his full height, eyes moving carefully as he stayed aware of his surroundings. His face was a sort of collected calm and he moved slowly at first, only speeding it up when the guard shoved something in his back. Probably a baton.

The two men ended up in a large room at the end of the hallway which was filled with tables that had benches attached to them. "This is the Big Room," the guard told Y/n lazily. "You eat here mostly, but you can go here for free time too, unless you want to stay in your cell." There was a door that lead into the Big Room. It opened loudly, causing every eye to be drawn to the two new people entering. "Good luck," the officer purred. "You seem like a calm one. They eat calm ones up in here." Then the officer stepped back and the door closed and Y/n was alone.

He looked around the room for an open seat, suddenly feeling like he was in high school again. He didn't have a clique. He didn't have somewhere to sit. He didn't know how this system of people worked. What if he sat with the wrong person and literally got murdered? Was there a chance the guards cared about the inmates enough to save their life? Y/n doubted it, if the guard from earlier was any indication.

Thoughts were cut off as an excited, "Y/N!" sounded. The called boy looked over to see red hair and a ginormous grin. Instantly Y/n switched gears, a smile of his own rising to his face. Jerome threw his arm over Y/n's shoulders. The Wayne boy tried not to get too giddy about the gesture as the redhead moved back to the table he must have been sitting at before Y/n came in. "You know I didn't think you'd end up in here too. Does that make you crazy after all?" He snorted, obviously amused by the idea of either of them being unsound of mind. Or maybe that was just another Jerome thing. Perhaps he just found insanity and instability funny.

"In the eyes of the people," Y/n answered.

Jerome tittered excitedly. "We're gonna have so much fun! They're so quiet and dull, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come."

"You're a clever man, J." Y/n's voice was solid, even as his eyes were trained to Jerome and his smile was so wide it already hurt. "I'm sure you would have thought of something."

Someone scoffed. "Are you flirting with him?"

The man was big- both wide and tall- and bald. He looked scary, and also like an idiot. He had that simple minded vibe. Like he could hit, and that's all he could do. Not that it invalidated just how good he could hit though...

"What if I am?" Y/n met the man's eyes directly. He felt a surge of confidence with Jerome next to him.

Jerome hooked Y/n's chin as the men stared each other down. "Eyes on me now, doll." He winked and Y/n relaxed, smiling. "What are we gonna do first?"

Y/n rose an eyebrow, smirking in amusement. "What is there to do in a prison for the criminally insane?"

Jerome laughed. It suddenly cut off and the redhead was invading Y/n's space significantly. "Your imagination is the limit, really."

Y/n suddenly had a very active imagination. He cleared his throat but didn't move his gaze from Jerome, even though he wanted to. He could feel his face on fire and he wanted to shift away. Give himself space to breathe. It was very hot and it was becoming burdensome and annoying. Y/n had never once been this attracted to a single person. He'd had crushes- which is how he knew he was gay- but nothing serious. Nothing commanding and controlling. Why now, when he was most sure he never wanted to feel this way? Why here, when he was locked up and his best friend was missing after being betrayed by his love? Why now when Y/n should have been most against romance and most focused on finding Oswald and making sure his friend was okay, was he so smitten by this psychotic redhead?

Fuck it. Y/n wasn't getting out anytime soon- what was even the point of anything other than just giving in?

"I could think of a few things." Someone groaned, but Jerome's grin was enough to chase Y/n's shame away completely.

"Maybe I could pull off something special for you," Jerome mused. "Just once."

Looking away finally, Y/n sat down. "I heard it was lunchtime. Maybe we could start there." Jerome plopped down, eagerness unperturbed. If Y/n was being honest, his own enthusiasm was also unfazed. He didn't know what Jerome was thinking, but he was down for whatever. As long as it involved any single one of the things he was currently thinking about.

Y/n didn't expect Jerome to get it planned and done so soon.

It was dark and Y/n lay in his bed, looking at the ceiling. The guard had told him he'd be getting a roommate eventually when they were sure of how stable he was and how capable he would be and with who and blah blah blah blah blah-

For all their talk about safety, Y/n was only minority surprised to see the door open only to reveal Jerome Valeska strolling inside, the door closing behind him. "Miss me?"

Y/n grinned, chuckling softly as he rolled his eyes. "You're my cellmate?"

"The one and only." Jerome moved closer then seemed to hesitate and moved away instead. He went to the other bed, plopping down and crossing his legs before laying back, his hands behind his head and his smirk wide and charming. "You're quite interesting, Y/n. Are you aware?"

Y/n shrugged. "Not really."

Jerome narrowed his eyes, not smirking anymore. He obviously didn't like to be contradicted. "Why not?"

"People usually prefer my brother," Y/n explained casually, settling back down in his bed as Jerome had. When Jerome didn't speak up again, Y/n continued. "I guess he's more responsible and put together. He's gonna make it in the world, and it's nice to see such motivation in such a young lad." The last sentence he said each word with dripping sarcasm. "He's a genius and he's driven and I'm... Y/n Wayne. My parents were cool, don't get me wrong, but everyone's made it perfectly clear that Bruce has always been and always will be the preferred brother." Y/n looked over to Jerome smiling, only for it to drop upon seeing Jerome's expression. "What?"

Jerome stood. He moved with that same fluidity, except now it was very intimidating. Less like a showman and more like a predator stalking its prey, getting far too close for comfort. "I know what you mean. Younger brothers are the worst." His tone was dark now, and low. He lips turned up but it seemed in a sneer rather than enjoyment.

"You have a younger brother?" Y/n asked, sitting up in surprise.

Jerome's jaw worked. He looked at Y/n, moving close as he usually did. Invading Y/n's space as always. "Are you and Bruce twins?"

"I'm two years older," Y/n answered immediately. "Why?"

"Jeremiah and I are twins." He shook his head. "Now I'm bored. Entertain me, Y/n."

Y/n was suddenly breathless as Jerome lay down, spread out on Y/n's bed. Y/n swallowed, moving to hover over him. He usually topped, but this was Jerome Valeska. Y/n had thought... this would have gone differently, at least. "Undo the jumper," Jerome commanded evenly. Y/n obeyed, dragging the zipper down. Jerome kicked off the cheap shoes he was wearing as Y/n tugged the jumper down. Jerome lay in a muscle shirt and boxers. "Have you ever pleased someone else before?" Y/n nodded. "Men?" Y/n nodded again. While with Penguin, Y/n had had the pick of the litter. Anyone he wanted. He'd had a few, though they still didn't measure up to Jerome. "Consensual?"

Y/n swallowed. "I've had consensual sex with men before, yes."

Jerome rose an eyebrow, obviously sensing the bit of information Y/n was holding back. Thankfully he didn't push. Probably because he didn't want to damper the mood again. "Show me what you know, Sweetheart." So Y/n did.

Throughout the whole ordeal, every time Y/n did something Jerome didn't like, the older boy immediately corrected him. Y/n knew that what he was doing was good enough - he'd gotten people off plenty of times before - but Jerome seemed to be pushing Y/n's buttons. Being specific and picky and demanding. Seeing where Y/n's line was. How obedient he could be. There wasn't anything Y/n had refused to do thus far. Finally Jerome pressed his head back into the bed, his eyes closed and his lips parted. His fingers curled into Y/n's short hair and he spoke quietly, trying to not alert anyone outside who would stop them while trying to keep Y/n under control and finish at the same time.

Men were much easier than woman. It didn't take much to finish Jerome once he was there. He groaned very quietly, his breath hitching and his lower body pressing into Y/n's mouth more, where it had ended up. Y/n let him ride it out then swallowed, leaning back with a grin on his face.

"How was that?"

Jerome sat up, wiping something off the corner of Y/n's lip. He pressed his finger into Y/n's mouth, his smile widening when Y/n sucked it clean. "You're good. I expected you to be less experienced."

"I doubt I'm experienced as much as I'm a fast learner and really good at following directions." Jerome hummed before stretching then moving to redress. Y/n deflated. Jerome giggled when he saw Y/n's shoulder sag. "You want something too, hm?" Y/n swallowed, nodding. "Well, since you were a good boy..." Jerome motioned Y/n closer and the younger boy immediately stood. Y/n went to kiss him but Jerome jerked away. "None of that." His fingers found purchase resting around Y/n's throat. Not squeezing, but playing at the idea. "No distractions. I have to focus." He winked and forced Y/n to turn around, knocking the breath out of the dark haired boy's lungs.

Y/n had always known there was something almost intoxicating about Jerome. Addicting. His smile. The look he got in his eye- especially when he was horny, or when he was really into a joke. The way Jerome held Y/n or pushed or pulled him around. The raw charisma he had, that allowed him to grab a room and keep it completely under control. His easy attitude. His arms and hands and hair and lips. The way Jerome had demanded and kept Y/n's attention even when the boy was repressed due to trauma. Jerome was magic. He could do anything. He was good at everything. He was great at a few things too. Murder. Acting. Being true to himself. Carry out promises.

Fucking. Jerome was really good at that, too.

The boy was setting something off in Y/n and it seemed the more time passed, the less capable Y/n was of going back to the life he had, even just with Oswald. Everyone seemed so impossibly far, but suddenly Jerome was the only person that mattered. Y/n was falling and honestly, he didn't even care.

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